Green energy has been developing quite rapidly in recent years. China built the world's largest solar power plant last year (5 times the size of Manhattan). Solar energy is also growing well in Russia.
But counting that our future will consist entirely of solar power plants, we must not forget the following …
The production of solar panels is an energy intensive process. Currently, most of the energy used to create solar panels comes from the processing of fossil raw materials, so even the production of these environmentally beneficial products can contribute to pollution and global warming. Approximately 600 kWh of energy is used to produce each square meter of solar panels, which is enough for lighting 1000 60W bulbs for ten hours. An average power system uses about two or three panels, each of which has an area of about 2 m2. When installed in a prime location, the solar panel can produce up to 200 kWh per square meter of electricity per year.
Therefore, the energy used in the production of the panel is compensated only after several years of operation.
The starting material for the manufacture of solar cells is trichlorosilane, a poisonous and explosive product. When it is distilled and reduced with hydrogen, pure silicon is obtained. A by-product at this stage of production is hydrochloric acid. Next, the silicon is melted and ingots are obtained from which solar cells are made. The production of solar panels requires the use of many hazardous chemicals. Poisons such as arsenic, chromium and mercury are also by-products of the manufacturing process. These chemicals can cause serious damage to the environment if not properly disposed of.
With the observance of technologies for capturing and purifying toxic gases and liquids, production will not be harmful, but often, especially in developing countries, such equipment is not installed in enterprises, which leads to environmental pollution. The energy used in the production of solar panels is not the only energy input. The energy used to transport them must also be considered, especially if the panels are imported from another part of the world. Recycling solar panels is a big problem. Many of the materials used to make them are difficult to recycle, and the recycling process itself requires a lot of energy.
Disadvantages of using solar energy:
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1. - Uneven distribution of the Sun's energy over the planet's surface. Some areas are sunnier than others;
2. - On cloudy days and at night, solar energy is not available;
3. - The need to use large areas for solar energy sources;
4. - Content of toxic substances in photocells;
5. - Low efficiency of solar panels, the average value of efficiency does not exceed 20%;
6. - The high cost of solar cells;
7. - The surface of solar panels and mirrors (for thermal air power plants) must be cleaned of any contaminants;
8. - When solar cells are heated, their efficiency decreases significantly;
9. - Complex disposal of solar panels.
So, can solar energy be considered not additional, but promising on a global scale?