Advantages & Limitations of Solar Energy

Renewable energy sources in general, and Solar Energy source in particular, has the potential to provide energy services with zero or almost zero emission. The solar energy is abundant and no other source in renewable energy is like solar energy. Every technology has its own advantages and disadvantages. As the solar insolation and atmospheric conditions vary significantly from place to place, efficiency of solar energy also differs accordingly.

Advantages

• •      It is an abundant Renewable Energy
• •      This technology is universal and it can be captured for conversion on a daily basis
• •      It is a Non-polluting technology, which means that it does not release greenhouse gases
• •      It is a Noiseless technology as there are no moving parts involved in energy generation
• •      This technology requires Low-maintenance because of lack of moving parts
• •      It can be installed on modular basis and expanded over a period of time
• •      Most viable alternative for providing electricity in remote rural areas

Limitations

• •      As the technology is in an evolving stage, the efficiency levels of conversion from light to electricity is in the range of 10 to 17%, depending on the technology used.
• •      The initial investment cost of this technology is high. At present the technology is basically surviving because of subsidy schemes available by the government.
• •      Solar energy is available only during daytime so for night time there is necessity of expensive storage devices like battery, which need to be replaced every 3 to 5 years. Generally, the cost of the Battery is 30 to 40% of the system cost.
• •      As the efficiency levels are low, the space required is relatively high.
• •      Solar energy is heavily dependent on atmospheric conditions.
• •      Solar insolation varies from location to location, so there are certain geographic limitations in generating solar power.