Fast read
Solar energy is a renewable source because it comes from the sun. The sun produces heat and light all the time through nuclear fusion. Unlike finite fossil fuels like coal and oil, the sun’s power is replenishable, free, and abundant. In fact, the sun generates enough energy in just one hour to power the world for a whole year.
Australia is one of the best countries for solar energy. It has high levels of sunlight. More than 3 million homes and businesses now use solar power.
Is solar energy renewable?
Solar energy is one of the most spoken-about topics in the energy world with increasing demand worldwide as these technologies become more efficient and cost-competitive.
The sun generates heat and light through nuclear fusion where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium. The released energy from the sun radiates light and heat to the Earth. Interestingly the sun generates in just one hour all the energy the world requires for one year.
Solar energy generated by the Sun is commonly regarded as being environmentally friendly and a more sustainable energy source than its traditional alternatives. Currently in Australia, solar systems power over 3 million houses and businesses and continues to grow in popularity. However, is solar energy a renewable energy source?
So is it renewable?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source. The sun’s power can be replenished. This is different from fossil fuels like coal and oil, which will run out.
Both the heat and light from the sun are sustainable fuels, free and unlimited, meaning they can always be renewed, stored and reused. Furthermore, Australia is one of the top countries for solar radiation per sqm, with plentiful heat and light from the sun all year round.
More countries are using solar energy to boost their economies. They prefer sustainable renewable energy over limited fossil fuels.
There are two types of solar energy – solar photovoltaic and thermal. Solar photovoltaic (PV) transfers sunlight directly into DC electricity via photovoltaic cells.
The DC electricity is changed into AC power using an inverter. After this, the householder can use the power. There has been significant demand with approximately two million Australian householders currently utilising solar PV.
On the other hand, solar thermal converts sunlight into heat energy. A common use of solar is for heating water in homes. These systems often have a gas or electric backup. This backup provides hot water when the sun is not shining.
In large solar energy projects, concentrated solar power stations (CSP) heat water to very high temperatures. They use mirrors that focus sunlight on a single point of a tower. This hit water is then run through a traditional steam boiler to generate renewable energy.
Summary
It is interesting to note that the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun creates wind. So while wind power is placed in a separate renewable category its existence is dependent on the power of the sun.
No matter what type of solar energy is used, solar is a renewable energy source. It is an efficient, reliable, and eco-friendly energy source. Many Australian homes already use it, and you should too.
