Activity 3.2.3 - Alternative Energy - Solar Energy

Alternative Energy

Alternative energy is renewable energy. This includes energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass. The reason why renewable energy is frequently used as an alternative is because much of the world does not use renewable energy as their main supply. Non-renewable energy is the most used energy sourced. This includes things such as fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources have a higher quality form of making use of energy. They are made to last for decades if used at a viable rate. Most of these renewable resources are considered to have an unlimited supply. The most considerable main source of renewable energy is the sun which in fact a lot of the renewable energy sources are forms of. The sun is our unlimited source of renewable energy and we can make use of it in beneficial ways. "Homes, businesses, and isolated communities can use sources such as solar to produce electricity without being near a powerplant or being connected to an electrical grid." (ch. 4.1.2) Using renewable energy sources can help with problems such as climate change and environmental disasters like an oil spill or pipeline leaks. They also help with not polluting the air with greenhouse gases. Renewable energy resources are a definite good source of energy but sadly you can say most renewable energy forms "are not concentrated, not easily portable, and/or not easy to store."(ch. 4.1)  

Solar Energy

"Solar energy is the ultimate energy source driving life on earth and many human activities." (ch. 4.2) Many energy resources from non-renewable and renewable are actually forms of solar energy. Basically, solar energy is using energy from the sun to make heat or electricity. The complication is making use of the energy. Unfortunately, solar energy is not available in some locations around the world so this makes it difficult to use renewable energy sources. A downside to having solar energy is that it "can only be gathered while the sun is shining." (ch. 4.2) So this would mean that on days that are cloudy there would only be so little energy gathered. Nonetheless, solar energy is becoming popular and having a great effect on energy usage. 

There is passive-active solar power and active solar power. "Passive solar power manipulates the sun's energy to provide heating or cooling, without the use of special devices or modern technology." (ch. 4.2.1) Passive solar heating is as simple as the sun shining through the windows of a building causing it to warm the interior of the structure. It easily heats the building by natural solar energy. "Active solar power systems harness the sun's energy through the use of specialized devices that transform this energy into another form." (ch. 4.2.1) One of the most recognizable active solar devices is photovoltaic cells, commonly known as solar panels. The solar panels produce free electrons when sunlight hits the cells which migrate across the cell creating an electric current. Solar panels are widely used now especially on the roofs of houses or buildings. 

Depending, where the solar energy is placed there, is the slightest impact on the environment. The disadvantages of using solar energy is that "the manufacturing of photovoltaic cells generates some hazardous waste from chemicals and solvents used in processing." "Typically, conventional fuel sources, such as fossil fuels are used to provide energy for photovoltaic manufacturing, resulting in greenhouse gases being released." (ch. 4.2.2) As you can see, using solar panels is not 100% clean energy but that shouldn't stop the industrialized world from trying to use more renewable energy for the sake of our planet. 

Work Cited

Mutiti, S., Mutiti, C., Manoylov, K., VandeVoort, A., & Bennett, D. (2018). Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia.
MUTITI_et_al_4_alternative_energy.docx