Pros & Cons of Solar Energy Nihal Yağmur Aydın

Outline Introduction Pros & Cons of Solar Energy Active Solar Energy Systems Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Solar Design in Architecture Solar Powered Products for Home Use Conclusion

Introduction Solar energy usage has become an important issue recently. I thought that searching about it can give my friends and me an insight regarding this issue. Because of that, I chose this topic.

PROS of SOLAR ENERGY

Pro: Renewable, Abundant, Sustainable Renewable: Solar energy will never be run out of itself due to estimations. Abundant: The surface of the earth gets 120,000 terawatts of solar radiation (sunlight) – 20,000 times more power than what is needed to supply the whole world. Sustainable: Solar energy can never be overconsumed.

Pro: Environmentally Friendliness & Good Availability Environmentally Friendly: It doesn’t cause any pollution in general. Good Availability: Sun is everywhere! Ref: http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficheiro:SOLAR_ENERGY_IN_ITS_FINEST_FORM.jpg

Pro: Reduces Electricity Cost By using solar energy, electiricity bills lowers due to usage of less power in the system. Ref: http://www.pdcsolar.co.za/10/an-analysis-of-a-households-investment-returns-after-installing-solar-heating-(a-solar-geyser)/

Pro: Silent There is no moving part while using solar energy. All system is silent, meaning that it is suitable for general usage. Ref: http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/SolarEnergy.php

CONS of SOLAR ENERGY

Con: Expensive At first sight, some money needs to be invested during manifacturing. Also, if it is wanted to be used later, it needs to be stored and energy storage requires money. http://kidneycancerchronicles.com/american-cancer-society-salaries/

Con: Intermittent Solar energy is available only if there is sun. If the user want to use it at night, it needs to be stored which is quite expensive. Ref: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=10783&picture=night-in-the-city&large=1

Con: Exotic Materials During manifacturing, some materials are needed which are rare in nature and they are quite expensive. Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)  is used for solar cells. Ref: http://www.pvtech.org/news/

Con: Associated with Pollution Some manifacturing process of solar energy causes greenhouse emissions. Transportation of materials also causes pollution. Nitrogen trifluroide and sulfur hexafluoride has been used for production of solar panels.The impact of these gases is on global warming compared to carbon dioxide is about 1000 times greater.

Con: Requires Space Power density, or watt per square meter (W/m²), is calculated when the manufacturers calculate how much power can be derived from the system. If the density is low, it is better; so solar energy installation requires space. Ref: http://www.gizmag.com/amonix-solar-module-efficiency-record/24845/

APPLICATIONS of SOLAR ENERGY

Active Solar Heating System Solar collector collects the energy and distributes it to interior system via air or fluid. It’s economical when the winter comes. It reduces greenhouse gases and air pollution since it uses renewable energy. Ref:http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/A/AE_active_solar_energy_system.html

Photovoltaic (PV) Systems This system uses photovoltaic process. Radiation energy captured by solar cells in terms of photons is used to create electricity. Pros: Easily extandible, transportable, no pollution Cons: High cost for establishment Ref: http://www.cmacpower.co.za/solar-home-power-systems-grid-tied-systems.htm

Solar Design in Architecture Ref: http://inhabitat.com/james-law-high-tech-cybertechture-egg-for-mumbai Ref: http://www.ecofriend.com/eco-architecture-mad-architects-design-solar-powered-convention-centre-for-taiwan.html Cybertecture Egg; Mumbai, India This architecture uses photovoltaic panels and built as passive solar design. Convention center for Taichung, Taiwan  It benefits from photovoltaic panels.

Solar Powered Products for Home (1) Mobile Phone Solar Battery Charger Pro: Energy efficient, environment friendly Con: Charging mobile phone: 3-5 hours Ref: http://www.asia.ru/en/ProductInfo/1105816.html

Solar Powered Products for Home (2) Solar Attic Ventilation Fans Pro: It doesn’t use any power and cycles the hot air up for 15 times in one hour. Ref: http://netzero-usa.com/home-improvement-products/solar-powered-attic-ventilation-fans/

Conclusion Although setting up solar energy powered system on built environment can be costly during establishment, it saves energy which helps sustainability of the environment. In long term, it reduces cost as well. We can use solar energy powered mobile chargers at least instead of using electiricity if we don’t use solar power systems at home.

References http://www.gizmag.com/amonix-solar-module-efficiency-record/24845/ http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/A/AE_active_solar_energy_system.html http://www.technews24h.com/2012/09/how-solar-panels-work.html http://www.keepbanderabeautiful.org/photovoltaic.html http://www.pdcsolar.co.za/10/an-analysis-of-a-households-investment-returns-after-installing-solar-heating-(a-solar-geyser)/ http://inhabitat.com/james-law-high-tech-cybertechture-egg-for-mumbai http://cleantechnica.com/2012/04/18/in-14-and-a-half-seconds/ http://powerlisting.wikia.com/ http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/SolarEnergy.php http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_electricity/basics/current_technology.htm http://energyinformative.org/solar-energy-pros-and-cons/ http://www.cmacpower.co.za/solar-home-power-systems-grid-tied-systems.htm http://netzero-usa.com/home-improvement-products/solar-powered-attic-ventilation-fans/ http://lantzfullcircle.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html http://www.asia.ru/en/ProductInfo/1105816.html http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/solarpowered-products-home-use-2343.html http://kidneycancerchronicles.com/american-cancer-society-salaries/ (for money picture) http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=10783&picture=night-in-the-city&large=1