Solar Power: The Pros and Cons of Solar Power
Wednesday March 14, 2007
The sun is a virtually endless source of clean, renewable energy, which should make solar power a logical alternative to finite fossil fuels that pollute the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. So why have scientists been unable to find a way to make solar power cost-effective enough for widespread use? Learn more about solar power and the new innovations that are making it a brighter energy alternative. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Comments
The only reason suitable solar power systems are not in use is that the big money never goes into research. Could this have anything to do with them not needing oil?
Why isn’t solar power used all over by now? It would be, and will be, if “they” ever figure out how to put a meter on it.
u have to be kinding me thats all the info uve got? i need more! im doing a flipin project on this i need alot of info this is the first website i have! :O
really i have to agree with the other person. i mean if you’re going to blog upon a subject like that you honestly need a lot more info. plus if i have a project to do which i do i want and need a lot more info from one website.
i honestly have to agree with the last person. I mean if you’re going to blog about something you need more info included. and if i was doing a project(which i am) for science when a teacher like mine wants a lot of info i would to have a lot more info then what you have me. SO i give a suggestion, if you’re going to blog upon something, especially on a subject like that, put more info really you need to and other people need more info to!!!!!!!!!!
If you’re doing school projects and want more information on solar power, you might start by clicking the links that lead to the full articles rather than stopping after reading a one-paragraph blog post. I’m sure your teachers expect you to review several sources as part of your research, so stop complaining and start reading.
-Good reply, Larry. Kids today think everything they need to know comes from the internet. Have they ever been to a library?
-Re: Solar Power: The Sun’s output amounts to about 1 kW/sq m at the planet’s surface, so, in 1 hr you can receive about 1kW-hr of power. (ave. family uses 33kW-hr per day)
-BUT- diminsh that by the cosine of the angle of inclination of the sun for your latitude, by the inefficiency of transfer of energy at each step of your generation & delivery process, account for cloud cover and shortened winter days, and using solar power becomes a matter of using up large areas of land for your collector. Given that loss of habitat is actually the biggest problem facing the environment, solar power is less desirable than it seems on the surface.
-at current prices, solar power doesn’t become economically feasable until “grid” power goes up to 30 cents per kW-hr: 2 1/2 x current cost.
-This just shows us how efficient fossil fuel is and why it’s so hard to get away from it.
Solar Power sounds like a good idea to me!!!! One question is there enough light in some states like Ohio Indiana Maine Or Kentucy for roof top panels?