Physics – 1.7.3 Energy resources | e-Consult

Solar power harnesses energy from sunlight using photovoltaic (PV) cells. Here's an analysis of its advantages and disadvantages:

Renewability: Advantage - Solar energy is a virtually inexhaustible resource. The sun will continue to shine for billions of years. Disadvantage - The intensity of sunlight varies depending on location and time of day/year.

Availability: Advantage - Sunlight is available globally, although the amount varies. Disadvantage - Cloud cover, weather conditions, and geographical location (latitude) significantly impact solar energy availability. Some regions receive significantly less sunlight than others.

Reliability: Disadvantage - Solar power is intermittent. Electricity generation is dependent on sunlight, meaning it's unavailable at night or during prolonged periods of cloud cover. Advantage - Energy storage solutions (e.g., batteries) can improve reliability by storing excess energy generated during sunny periods for use later. Grid integration and forecasting also help.

Scale: Advantage - Solar power can be deployed at various scales, from small rooftop panels for individual homes to large solar farms covering vast areas. Disadvantage - Large-scale solar farms require significant land area, potentially impacting habitats.

Environmental Impact: Advantage - Solar power produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, contributing to reduced climate change. Disadvantage - Manufacturing solar panels involves the use of certain materials (e.g., silicon, rare earth elements) and energy, which can have environmental impacts. Disposal of old solar panels also poses a challenge if not handled properly. Land use for large solar farms can also lead to habitat loss.