Solar energy has come forward as an assurance when the world population is aware that the non-renewable energy sources which we have been using historically are depleting at a fast rate. We have been traditionally using energy sources like wood, coal, and petroleum products which are available in a limited quantity and which have caused much harm to the earth’s environment. In contrast to such energy resources, the advantages of solar energy are quite significant. Read along to learn about the advantages of solar energy and how it can bring changes to our daily lives.

# Advantages of solar energy:

The various advantages of solar energy can be categorized into three main categories viz., economical advantages, environmental advantages and social advantages of solar energy.

* Economical advantages of solar energy:

- The most important economical benefit of solar energy is that it is very cost effective as it is derived from the sun is absolutely free of cost.

- Investment on solar energy producing equipments is a long lasting and viable choice for those who cannot afford traditional energy.

- The initial cost of setting up a solar panel for energy production may be high, but the regular returns in the form of savings in the electricity bills surpasses the invested amount over time. Also the life span of a typical solar panel is approximately 30 years, which in itself justifies the investment made keeping in mind the financial returns that it provides.

- With the advancement in technology the cost of the solar equipments is also reducing significantly.

- The cost associated with the maintenance of solar equipments is also very less as compared to that of the traditional energy producing equipments.

- Governments of many countries give grants or tax rebate on the amount spent for developing a solar power producing equipments.

- In many countries there are provisions to sell any surplus solar energy back to the electricity grid!

- Solar energy can be used to generate power in remote sites where there is still no reach of electricity. The cost associated with generation of solar electricity at such places is way less than the cost of developing a complete infrastructure of electrical grids to supply energy at remote locations.

- Those countries which have low reserves of traditional energy resources and which in turn depend upon the world market to purchase energy sources can in turn become independent of these dependencies by switching to the production of solar power.

- In many developed countries the power development sector has a monopoly in the market. This monopoly can be broken down by governments by encouraging people to generate solar power for their use and become self sufficient.

- Managing independent small solar power stations could develop jobs for the local population of an area.

* Environmental advantages of solar energy:

- Solar energy is available in abundance and is derived from sun which is virtually a renewable and reliable source of energy.

- Power production using solar energy does not cause any air pollution and is a great advantage over the traditional pollution causing fossil fuels. This is the reason why solar energy has been termed as ‘green energy’ or ‘clean energy’.

- Traditional power generation produces a lot of waste in the form of dust, harmful emissions, spillage of toxins, solid residues; and also requires energy, land, water etc. All these waste production can be reduced by using solar power generation systems as they do not produce any by-products.

- Solar energy producing equipments have no moving parts, therefore there is no sound produced. Noise pollution is reduced as the solar energy generators operate quietly.

- Producing power solar energy helps conserve non-renewable energy sources thereby assisting in maintaining the balance of nature’s cycle.

- Solar power generation does not emit any greenhouse gases, thereby helping in fighting the challenge of global warming.

- In rural areas where there is scarcity of electricity, people use lead batteries to power up many small electrical types of equipment. The lead of these batteries when disposed contaminates the soil and water. This can be avoided by using solar power generation in such areas.

- Solar power generators can be placed in any regions as sun is almost available at all places. Also in areas where the electrical supply is not regular, solar power can be stored and supplied at times when the other energy source is not available.

* Social advantages of solar energy:

- Small solar power generator plants generate more jobs per Mega Watt of electricity generated than the traditional power plants.

- By generating solar power small localities can become independent and self sufficient in terms of energy availability.

- Solar energy can be generated in areas rural and remote areas where no other means of power production is. This would help in the economical as well as social development in such areas.

- Solar power generation produces clean and pollution free energy which will help in sustaining a healthy environment for the generations to come.

- In many countries recycled material is being used for manufacturing solar panels. Although this is an environmental advantage of solar energy, it is also an important social benefit of solar energy as solar power production is not only pollution free itself, but is also helping in cutting down the wastes that are generated by other means of human activities.

There is no doubt that solar energy has a high potential to cater for the growing energy requirements of the human population. We humans have already done enough harm to mother earth. It is time that we realize the potential and advantages of solar energy, become environmentally more responsible and come forward as global citizens to save power and switch to solar energy.