As the world progresses towards energy sustainability, green conservatives are heralding solar power by MBD Adelaide as one of the best options for diversifying our energy portfolios. Over the years, solar energy has proved to be one of the most revolutionary technologies, a promising source of energy supply that can mitigate the damage caused by traditional energy use. Solar energy has many economic and environmental benefits, but how does it compare to other sources of green energy? There are other renewable sources of green energy including water, wind and biomass. How efficient is the sun’s energy compared to such resources? What’s the big difference regarding production, convenience and capacity? This article gives an insight into how solar energy compares to other forms of renewable energy.

Solar Versus Wind Energy

Both wind power and solar energy are mature technologies with the potential to meet a significant fraction of our global power needs. Although wind power is a more cost-effective source of energy, it is more location-dependent hence less versatile in most parts of the world as compared to solar power. Wind farms need large open spaces and depend on wind patterns that vary greatly. So wind power plants must be established in locations far from population centres. Solar power can be deployed near residential centres, which minimises the cost of transmission significantly. Mind you, transmission lines are not required in areas where solar panels are installed onsite or on rooftops.

Solar Versus Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric power, though useful, requires large water reservoirs that take years to construct. Building these dams can alter the ecosystem in many ways. Hydroelectric dams not only change the natural flow of waterways but also reduce water flow downstream. They also affect wildlife in the area by altering habitats. The newly created dams can sometimes submerge forests, which contradicts their contribution to environmental conservation and reducing climate change. Additionally, people residing in the area must be relocated. Solar arrays can be built in a few months without altering the environment or affecting the populace. It is possible to install rooftop or ground-mount solar panels anywhere as the intensity of sunshine varies less compared to wind and rain.

Solar Versus Biomass Energy

Burning biomass to produce energy appeals to many, as it is renewable and can be set up on small-scale. But from a logical perspective, the overall energy balance undermines this argument since harvesting and moving crops to the biomass plant requires a great deal of energy. Biomass also produces volatile organic compounds such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Solar panels prove their superiority against biomass as they do not emit gases and do not require large tracts of fertile land. Solar power is an excellent option. It is cheap to install and maintain and reduces carbon footprint. Adopting solar energy for residential, commercial and industrial use is an excellent way of contributing to the worldwide campaign of adopting clean energy sources.