Pros & Cons of

Solar EnergyNihal Yağmur Aydın

OutlineIntroductionPros & Cons of Solar EnergyActive Solar Energy SystemsPhotovoltaic (PV) SystemsSolar Design in ArchitectureSolar Powered Products for Home UseConclusion

IntroductionSolar 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, SustainableRenewable: 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 CostBy 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: SilentThere 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: ExpensiveAt 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: IntermittentSolar 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 MaterialsDuring 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 PollutionSome 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 SpacePower 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 pollutionCons: High cost for establishment

Ref: http://www.cmacpower.co.za/solar-home-power-systems-grid-tied-systems.htm

Solar Design in Architecture

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.

Ref: http://inhabitat.com/james-law-high-tech-cybertechture-egg-for-mumbaiRef: http://www.ecofriend.com/eco-architecture-mad-architects-design-solar-powered-convention-centre-for-taiwan.html

Solar Powered Products for Home (1)

Ref: http://www.asia.ru/en/ProductInfo/1105816.html

Mobile Phone Solar Battery Charger

Pro: Energy efficient, environment friendly

Con: Charging mobile phone: 3-5 hours

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/

ConclusionAlthough 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