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Solar energy is an energy derived from solar radiation that can be converted to electricity. Solar energy, like biomass, geothermal, hydropower, wind and ocean, is a form of renewable energy resource, or one which, as a resource, is renewable on a regular basis at a relatively rapid rate and which makes itself available over an indefinite period of time.  There are advantages of solar energy which gives it an edge over other resources which are currently used for power generation. Energy being the backbone of a country’s economic progress and an important utility for every household, it is good to know of the benefits that can be derived from using energy supplied constantly by our Sun.

Environmental advantage of solar energy – Development and economic growth have environmental implications. Fossil fuel now widely used for power generation emits carbon dioxide that proved to be hazardous to the environment. Solar does not emit carbon. Increased use of this renewable energy would reduce the demand for electricity otherwise generated from power plants using fossil fuel.

Advantages of using solar energy –  Fossil fuel is now dwindling and, being a political commodity, its price is highly volatile. Like other primary commodities, it is socially sensitive and any movement whether in supply or price will be felt by even the lowest level of the community. Shifting to renewable energy use like solar would help reduce dependence on fossil fuel and the uncertainties it brings. What is more significant about solar is, it can be installed off grid. With this, more remote areas are now electrified resulting to increase in activities thus somehow easing poverty. And unlike fossil fuel, solar, being an exhaustible resource, is there as long as the sun shines. More importantly, solar radiation is widely distributed over the earth.

There are advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. But with the current issues the world faces in terms of energy security, environment protection and climate change, shift to solar use is a significant step to help address these pressing concerns.

Humanity has been using electricity for a long time and you would hope that we would have found and implemented good and environmentally friendly ways to generate it. This is very far from truth. Struggling developing countries generate about 90% of their electric power by burning coal. And even the power horse of developed world, United States of America, still gets most of it’s electricity from coal power plants. We do have cleaner technologies like natural gas or nuclear, but coal is still number one.

Burning coal emits smoke and fine dust and both of them are no good for human and animal respiratory systems. When inhaled it irritates our breathing system and over time could cause asthma symptoms to appear or infection to develop. Beside damaging us, burning coal also damages our environment, because a lot of carbon dioxide is emitted in a process of burning coal. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and it contributes to global warming. Unfortunately coal technology is very old, coal is cheap and we built a lot of infrastructure for it, that’s why this source of power is still so popular.

It’s not that bad, we do have alternative ways to generate electric power. For example solar panels technology exist for a while already and it is proven to work and deliver. There are quite a few advantages of solar power. For example there is no dirty emissions and no greenhouse gas emissions, solar panels are quiet and they don’t break, since there is no mechanical parts in them. Why don’t everyone use it already?

Current solar panels for houses require a high initial investment and usually it takes about 15 years or so for system to pay for itself in electricity savings. Smaller panels like rv solar panel currently is the big market, since you need a way smaller system to power a trailer than your house and many more people can afford it.

There is a reason why using solar technology right now is the in thing to do. Apart from the obvious environmental benefits of using a renewable energy source, most people are finding this alternative source of light to be more efficient and effective than the traditional light sources — and this is for good reason.

Unlike during its inception stage, these lights right now have taken giant leaps and bounds from when it initially started gaining recognition. For one, there are currently a lot of companies that manufacture solar lights, and with this increased competition, the prices of these light varieties have considerably gone down. Of course, it needs no mentioning that this trend has translated into better and more ingenious technological breakthroughs when it comes to solar technology.

The most basic reason why most Americans are switching to solar lighting is because it is more economical. Sure, solar lights may relatively be more expensive than generic light varieties in price, but this initial cost can easily be offset by the savings in electricity later on. This is because these lights do not need to consume electricity when it illuminates.

This lighting technology can easily be explained by the fact that solar technology relies on the sun’s rays during daytime for its lighting needs. Solar lights absorb the sun’s rays during daytime, stores it, and later on uses this stored energy for night lighting. And it gets better, because apart from this ingenious lighting method, you don’t even need to constantly switch the lights on and off, because solar lighting automatically detects daytime from night time. It automatically shuts off in the morning, and instantly lights up at night.

oreover, these lights are also popular because unlike traditional, ‘hard-wired’ lights outs there, you don’t need to fuss much over its installation. They can easily be mounted, and you don’t need to be troubling with all the complicated wiring issues — you just have to ensure that you place it in an area where it gets direct sunlight.