Activity 3.2.3 – Alternative Energy – Solar Energy

 Alternative energy is a continuously made source of energy that it readily available and is in most cases, sustainable as opposed to conventional energy. 

Alternative energy is valuable as it can be produced as much as energy is consumed, making it more sustainable than conventional energy. Conventional energy is more concentrated but is not renewable. At the rate that we consume conventional energy, this method will eventually become depleted when fossil fuels are used up. Alternative energy also does not contribute to pollution which is a continuously disastrous problem. 

Solar energy is one of earth's most important and oldest forms of energy. Solar energy has been used by planet earth since the beginning of earth itself. Changing shape and form in its use for our planet. From giving energy to plant life, to dictating the cycles and behaviors of organisms. Solar energy is one of the most used forms of energy in the world. Solar energy is one of the renewable or alternative forms of energy, meaning it is sustainable and does not produce pollution like conventional energy. Making this form of energy a very important alternative to fossil fuels. Solar energy has risen in popularity, typically used as an alternative source of energy for homes or for business. Solar energy is a little bit more accessible as solar panels are less of a hassle than turbines and dams and can be built for personal use. But solar energy is also collected on a much bigger scale using many solar panels in one area called a solar farm. These solar farms are used to power many homes or buildings at once as opposed to a few or more panels for personal use. While it is a great clean form of energy, its use is only available when the weather allows it. Solar energy is hard to or impossible to obtain during overcast days and can only be collected with mostly clear skies. Solar energy collection is mostly used in sunny climates, but weather disturbances can still occur and disrupt collection. It is also found to be difficult to store unlike conventional energy. Solar energy can be collected and used in many ways, the most common way being through solar panels to be turned into electricity. Another way to capture and convert solar power into electricity is through solar thermal collectors. Instead of only using sunlight to convert to electricity, solar thermal collectors absorb heat instead. This is typically used as a modern way to heat buildings. But solar energy can also be used to warm spaces through creative architecture, a technique that has been used even before modern technology.

Mutiti, S., Mutiti, C., Manoylov, K., VandeVoort, A., & Bennett, D. (2018). Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia.