Solar energy is obtained from Sun. in other words we can say that solar energy is the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun in form of infrared rays and is received by earth. The amount of sun’s energy intercepted by earth is very less compared to the amount emitted. Most of it is spread out in the space. Earth’s surface receives only 1/2,000,000,000 of energy from sun. We can utilize this energy to perform various day-to-day activities like, drying grains or clothes, obtaining salt form sea. And with the help of revolutionised technologies we can generate electricity, cook food, create water heaters and room heaters, solar batteries and many more. From all appliances the one that we can utilize is solar cell which helps generate electricity.
In a photovoltaic cell the solar energy is directly converted into electricity by transforming photons of light into electrical energy. Cells that can do this function are joined together in a module, these modules are later connected to generate more electricity, so one can use this in rural and remote areas. PV cells help powering lights to refrigerators to water pumps. Today most of the photovoltaic cells are made up of silicon wafers from crystal blocks in modules. By connecting many modules on can create arrays which are able to generate kW or MW of electricity. PV cells are usually used for powering low demand electrical appliances such as electric fences, battery chargers, lighting, refrigerators, water pumps, and remote telecommunications.
India is one of the countries which have long days and short nights. There is plenty of sunlight available and it can be harnessed for many appliances. Solar energy appliances include solar cooker, solar panels, solar ponds etc. PV cells are quiet common in rural areas and remote areas. There are more than 70000 PV cells launched in 8 states of India. Photovoltaic cells are used for irrigation pumping sets, home lightning, street lights. This is one of the appliances that is famous in India, other appliances like solar cooker, solar pond, solar heaters, solar panels etc. are soon going to be implemented in many different parts of India. In order to know how many people are aware about these appliances I conducted a survey in whose results are below:
From the results it is evident that most of the people are aware about solar cooker.This is because in India solar cooker have become famous and soon the rest are also going to be implemented by the government. But before implementing these appliances one has to keep in mind the advantages and the disadvantages of utilizing solar energy.
The main advantage of using solar energy is that it is a renewable source of energy and is sustainable. It is also environmental friendly as it does not pollute the air by releasing any kind of toxic gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury. Together with these gases it also helps reduce the emission of green house gases thus it is not a reason of global warming. And also it is low maintenance device and works independently. But the initial cost of installing this system is not economically feasible. And on the other hand to produce electricity in large amount solar panels and arrays require vast regions. The amount of electricity produced also depends upon the amount of radiation touching the panels. Thus the amount of electricity produces depends a lot on the weather, direction of sun, pollution etc. But the advantages of solar energy cover up the disadvantages and thus solar energy is a reliable source. Looking at the different factors that are important for it to be feasible in our society, firstly it is an environmental friendly source of energy as it does not cause any kind of pollution nor does it emit harmful gases which are dangerous to out health. Looking at the health factors it To understand how many people think that solar energy is a reliable source I conducted a survey whose results are as below:
As a result I found out that maximum people think that solar energy is a reliable source and a good alternative to fossil fuels. Firstly because it is easily available in nature and due to its various advantages. But there are some people who say that it’s not good as its initial costs are really high and not all can afford that much amount of money to install a solar appliance. Secondly they also say that solar energy does not work at night which is true and not all the time sun is shining, for example most of the time in monsoon, due to cloudy atmosphere the sunshine is hardly been seen which might lead to less solar energy being generated, whereas this problem won’t arise if we use fossil fuels. Ethically most of the people think it is a good source of energy because of its various advantages. The people whom I survey also said that India should start utilizing this source of energy to generate electricity. According to most of them, the government should also make the access of these appliances easy and cheap. Morally it is a good alternative source for fossil fuels as it does not harm the environment the way burning of fossil fuels does and also because it is sustainable for long time. Secondly the disadvantages like, it does not work at night, can be resolved such as power saving batteries can be implanted in the solar cell which saves power for night. As the initial establishment cost is high but one can make up the amount in only a few months by sharing that power with other
The different ways that one can utilize this energy is by using the solar cookers, solar cells and other solar appliances which are mentioned above. This way the solar energy that reaches earth and has the potential to make a difference in the way we live and also help us control the amount of CO2 being released in atmosphere, can be utilized properly and efficiently. The use of solar energy will not only improve our lives but help other people also specially those who are habituated in rural and remote areas. . Over all I think that solar energy is a very reliable and the best alternative source for fossil fuels.
Word count: 1,461 word
Bibliography:
Encyclopaedias
The new book of knowledge (1974) United States of America: Grolier incorporates. Volume no.17 (pg. no. 235-239)
Collier’s encyclopaedia (1992) United States of America: Macmillan Educational Company. Volume no. 21 (pg. no. 166-168)
Grolier encyclopaedia of knowledge (1998) United States of America: Grolier incorporates. Volume no.17 (pg. no. 174-176)
Books
Pickering. K (1994) an introduction to Global Environmental Issues, Unites States of America, Routledge.
L.A Kristoferson (1991) Renewable Energy Technologies, Great Britain, Intermediate Technology Publications.
Jones.M, Jones. G (1990) Coordinated Science, Australia, Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge.
Websites
The Energy Information Administration (1998) what is energy? (online accessed 20 October 2008)
author undefined (2004) Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages (online accessed 20 October 2008)
author undefined (2007) Solar Energy (online accessed 21 September 2008)
author undefined (2003) Solar overview (online accessed 21 September 2008)
Example of Survey Form
Name:
Age: Occupation:
- What are the different appliances do you use at home?
- What do you think is the main energy required to run these appliances?
- Where do you get this energy from?
- What kind of energy is it?
- What are the different types of energy existing on earth?
- Which energy is most commonly used?
- What is solar energy?
- Give examples of solar appliance?
- Would you wish to use these appliances? If yes, then which one? If no, then why?
- Do you think solar energy is a reliable source? If yes, why? If no, Why?
- Do you think India should use solar energy? Justify your answer.
