Solar Power: The Obstacles and Benefits

Solar power is a promising field in alternative energy. According to Ted Sargent of the University of Toronto, the sun delivers 10,000 times more energy to the surface of the earth than the world currently consumes. This means that if a mere tenth of a percent of the earth’s surface (an area about three-quarters the size of Texas) was covered in solar cells, then humans would not need to worry about using oil or coal ever again. Or would they?

Before we go further, it is important to know how solar power is generated. The study of converting solar energy to usable energy is called photovoltaics. In most cases, solar energy is collected in bundles of absorption units called solar cells, usually constructed of silicon. These cells collect light from the visible spectrum and convert that energy directly into electricity. Solar panels can be placed anywhere, but certain areas are more effective than others at producing energy of this kind. Areas near the equator that see the most plentiful sunlight are ideal, and areas to the far north or south have limited potential at producing enough energy to be cost-effective.