1. An energy source that is both renewable and inexhaustible.
The sun is an inexhaustible, unchangeable energy source, remaining constant day after day, despite its eventual end in billions of years.
Solar energy is abundant; capturing just 6% of it could meet humanity’s energy needs, despite atmospheric and geographical factors.
2. Everywhere gets sunlight
Sunlight is universally accessible, providing energy to all areas, including remote, rural locations without infrastructure or connections.
Solar energy, including solar lights, can be used locally, with easy implementation like rooftop panels, unlike other renewable options.
Once converted into electricity, solar energy is very simple to transport. That means that huge amounts of electricity can be generated in large solar farms, perhaps in areas of the Earth with the highest levels of sunlight, such as the equatorial belt.
3. It’s very well suited to batteries and the electricity grid
Photovoltaics produces energy mainly in the middle part of the day, but thanks to larger, more efficient and reliable storage systems, we’re better able to manage the discrepancy between energy demand and what the sun provides naturally.
Although there may be differences from country to country, generally speaking, solar energy, particularly where photovoltaic technology is used to generate it, can be transferred directly to the electricity grid.
This makes things like energy communities possible and allows private individuals and businesses to send the excess energy they produce to the market, guaranteeing them not only savings but also a source of income.
4. The sun creates local wealth and jobs
Solar energy creates numerous jobs in development, installation, and maintenance, boosting economies and offering investment opportunities for families and businesses.
A 2023 study predicts 22 million photovoltaic jobs by 2050, up from 3.8 million in 2019, boosting global employment.
5. Technological versatility
Solar energy’s versatility also extends to its technology. The first thing that springs to mind is photovoltaic panels, but it can also be used to create thermal energy by heating fluids, or by combining both types in the most modern thermodynamic solar power plants.
Solar energy produces minimal noise, with only a few cooling components needed, making it suitable for use in any setting.
6. Minimal maintenance required
Despite the fact that photovoltaic panels do gradually become less efficient, with a useful lifespan of 25-30 years, the kind of post-installation maintenance required is similar to that of a normal electrical system.
7. Green until the end of life
Solar panels are practical to install, remove, and recycle, reducing environmental impact by reclaiming, recycling, and reusing materials.
Having panels available that can be combined in multiple ways means modular plants can be created that range from very small in size for domestic use to large-scale farms.
8. A solid, reliable technology
The future of solar energy is promising, with improving efficiency and ongoing innovations, making it increasingly effective and reliable.
At the same time, the price of solar cells is going the other way and they’re becoming cheaper. If we combine these two effects, we can say that solar energy is becoming increasingly accessible and available
