Whether it is our personal endeavors or industrial or commercial operations, mankind cannot function without electricity. From gadgets to machinery, almost every tech product works on electricity. Consequently, the demand for electricity has increased but the supply remains limited.
That’s why we need an alternate form of energy that can efficiently meet our demands. One such source is solar energy. It is an alternate form of energy that is now being embraced, and those who are embracing it are reaping benefits from it. These benefits are not limited to the generation of electricity. Solar energy is a clean source of energy that has no adverse effect on the environment. In addition to that, it can help cut down on energy bills and leads to minimal or no energy wastage.
Even though solar energy is not a recent development, it’s evolving and developing. Consequently, there are a lot of questions about it.
One of the most common questions being – Is solar energy renewable or non-renewable?
We will be answering this question and briefing you about solar energy here.
Is Solar Energy Renewable or Non-Renewable?
Before we give you the answer, it’s important we establish what are renewable and non-renewable sources of energy in the first place.
What is a Renewable Source of Energy?
Renewable energy, also known as clean energy, is produced from natural sources or processes that are constantly renewed. This is to say, sources of energy such as sunlight and wind will be available even when their availability relies on weather and time.
What is a Non-Renewable Source of Energy?
A non-renewable source of energy is the one that is produced through earth’s natural resources that are available in a limited quantity. It does not replenish at the same speed at which it is used up, as most of these resources take millions of years to develop. The key examples of non-renewable resources are coal, oil, and natural gas.
Now that we know what renewable and non-renewable sources of energy are, let’s give you the answer as to, is solar energy renewable or non-renewable?
Solar Energy as a Renewable Source of Energy
Unlimited Availability
Yes, solar energy is a renewable source of energy, given the fact that it is available abundantly.
Solar energy is absorbed via the sun’s rays, while fossil fuels are derived from ancient carbon-rich remains on earth. Therefore, if the sun is shining, solar energy will be available (Interestingly, NASA scientists claim that the sun is about halfway through its lifetime, which means that humans have about 4.5 billion years to consume solar energy.)
Green Source of Energy
In addition to that, it is a clean source of energy that doesn’t leave behind any carbon footprint. While fossil fuels release greenhouse gases and other harmful particles into our atmosphere, generating energy from solar panels is a zero-emissions process that can take place in any location that receives abundant sunlight.
However, many people are concerned with the environmental effects that the manufacturing process of solar panels has. It is to be noted that, like any manufactured product, producing quality solar modules demands resources and energy. However, solar energy production has the least environmental impact as compared to other non-renewable sources of energy. Studies have suggested that it only takes a few months for solar panels to “cancel out” the impact of manufacturing them with the benefits they provide.
The environmental impact of producing solar panels is reducing every year with the advancing panel technologies and the increasing solar panel efficiency every year. This means that solar panels are becoming much more efficient at converting sunlight into emissions-free energy.
In addition to that, solar panels can also be recycled, and the components within them repurposed, consequently reducing the overall environmental footprint of solar energy. In addition to that panel efficiency improvements, panel recycling processes are getting advanced as well, further reducing the lifetime impact of solar energy.
The Final Thoughts
We have now answered the question, “Is solar energy renewable or non-renewable”. It is a renewable source of energy as it is abundantly available and a clean source of energy. Solar energy can be utilized through solar panels.
If you are planning to adopt solar energy, installation of solar panels is necessary. Ensure that you buy only the best quality solar panels.
Feel free to explore our range of solar panels. As a brand, Luminous believes in making your lives better by introducing futuristic products that meet your demands efficiently. We have been at the top of the industry for decades. Serving over a million customers in a decade, our only goal is to see the number grow and offer you the best product and customer experience.
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