SOLAR ENERGY

The sun is our primary source of light and heat, but we often fail to take full advantage of this gift. Transitioning to solar energy could significantly save utilities in various sectors - from small businesses to large-scale operations.

It’s strange how we often take for granted the things that could benefit us in numerous ways. We often become comfortable with certain energy sources and fail to recognize their limitations. However, solar energy, which has minimal greenhouse gas emissions, has been proven over time to be the most efficient natural renewable energy. Despite this, it has yet to be widely commercialized. 

When embracing adaptive cycles and lifestyles, we tend sometimes to overthink complex technologies that promote sustainability, forgetting nature offers us ample opportunities to enjoy it to the fullest while introducing a few new mechanisms. The sun is an integral part of the solar system which existed since the time of creation. From when we learned about the solar system in our elementary schools, we understand that the sun and the earth are fundamental components of it, the sun being the primary source of light for all the planets in the solar system.

The sun rises in the early morning and stays in the atmosphere for an average of six hours globally, although the duration can be shorter during winter in the Northern and southern hemispheres and the rainy season in equatorial countries. However, did you know that it’s possible to store solar energy for later use?

Solar energy is one of the most cost-effective and efficient sources of energy. It does not require complex installation techniques or personnel. With the right solar panels that can convert the heat from the sun to energy, we can power everything from small lamps in rural homes to large factories all over the world. This means we can harness the energy that comes from the sun and enjoy its benefits.

According to research, the amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth's surface in an hour and a half is enough to meet the energy needs of humanity for an entire year. However, it is important to note that there may be some greenhouse gas emissions during the solar energy production process. This could be due to the manufacturing of solar cells and panels, as well as the transportation, installation, maintenance, and decommissioning processes. Nevertheless, the emissions are minimal when compared to the negative impact of depending solely on non-renewable energy sources.

We often blame the major greenhouse gas emitters for the climate change crisis, but we forget to take individual responsibility and work towards finding custom-made solutions for change. For instance, China is one of the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters, they have made significant progress by increasing their installation of solar PV panels by 75%, which is a positive step towards incorporating more environmentally friendly solutions. How about we embrace measures like household water pumping, lighting, and charging devices using solar power, and adopting solar-powered irrigation for our farmers? Would this be a great effort to allow a smooth transition to renewable and safe energy sources that promote sustainability?

India on the other hand is working towards another overarching goal of decentralizing solar power and widely distributing it to meet the energy needs of local communities for cooking, lighting, and other purposes.

Did you know that the Sahara Desert in Africa is the largest hot desert in the world? Interestingly, it is also home to the largest concentrated solar power plant located in Morocco. This huge plant has a capacity of 580 megawatts and can provide electricity to a population of over one million people.

It doesn’t have to be these extremely large projects for implementation in transition, but a solar panel installed on the street lights in towns will be a huge saving in the utilities accrued by the local and state government which would promote more budget allocation to other sectors that require funding.

Environmental conservation and management while incorporating solar energy transition may seem expensive in the initial stages but the costs are one-time investments that can yield significant long-term savings. By carefully planning and implementing conservation measures, we can avoid the accumulating and unpredictable costs associated with reliance on fossil fuels, which are vulnerable to factors such as cross-border conflicts and political instability.