-
Creates no
pollution. There are no carbon emissions and solar energy therefore
is a solution to the problem of climate change
-
Sunlight is free
and available all over the planet. Sunlight will never run out. A
completely renewable resource.
-
Solar thermal
power can be stored and released slowly
-
Few moving parts
required and therefore maintenance is minimal. Solar systems tend to
be durable, lasting 25 years or more.
-
Solar energy
systems tend to pay for themselves over time (average time for
payback is 4 years)
-
Can be utilized
in both small-scale and large-scale machines
-
The most likely
alternative energy to meet the demands of the future
-
Solar energy systems are generally silent
-
Small modules are unlikely to fail all at once, so black-outs
will be rare
-
Surplus power may
be fed back into the electricity grid
-
Costs do not vary
over time like fossil fuels do
-
Solar technology
is generally very reliable
-
Solar power is
ideal for remote locations far from power generators
-
Can be used to
generate electricity even in cloudy weather
-
Energy is not
lost during transmission from central locations if distributed
systems are used
-
Costs of PV
systems have been falling by an average of 4% per year since the
1970s
-
Silicon, which is
used for semi-conductors, is the second most abundant mineral on
Earth.
