As the world continues to confront the reality of climate change, the need for a zero-carbon-emissions energy system has become more urgent than ever. According to experts, such a system will largely rely on solar electricity, which is becoming increasingly affordable as technology improves. In order to meet the goal of “defossilizing” the world’s energy supply by 2035, about 100 giant solar panel factories must be built by 2025. While this may seem like a daunting task, it is important to remember that the future of our planet depends on it. With each passing day, the need for action becomes more urgent. We must work together to build a cleaner, brighter future for all.
1. IPCC Report
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity today. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that we have just twelve years to take “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society” to avoid a future in which global temperatures rise by more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, leading to catastrophic consequences for human life and the natural world alike.1
One of the key ways in which we can reduce our carbon emissions and help mitigate climate change is by transitioning to renewable energy sources. Of all the renewable energy options available, solar power is perhaps the most promising. Solar photovoltaics (PV) – that is, solar panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity – are becoming increasingly efficient and affordable, making them a realistic option for powering our homes and businesses.
2. Solar Panels May Save The World
A 2017 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that a “high penetration” of PV – defined as providing between 80% and 100% of U.S. electricity needs – is “technically achievable” using today’s technology. This is significant because, according to the IPCC, we need to achieve “net-zero” emissions (that is, zero carbon emissions after accounting for any removal of carbon from the atmosphere) by around 2050 in order to meet the 1.5°C target. Achieving this goal will require a massive global effort to decarbonize every sector of the economy, including power generation.
The NREL study found that a high penetration of PV would require a large investment in solar panel manufacturing capacity. In order to meet the goal of “defossilizing” the world’s energy supply by 2035, about 100 giant solar panel factories must be built by 2025. While this may seem like a daunting task, it is important to remember that the future of our planet depends on it. With each passing day, the need for action becomes more urgent. We must work together to build a cleaner, brighter future for all.
3. Solar Panels is Extremely Cost Effective
The cost of PV has fallen by 99% since 1977 and is continuing to decline. This is making solar an increasingly attractive option for both individuals and businesses. In some parts of the world, it is now cheaper to generate electricity from solar panels than it is from coal or natural gas.
In addition to being cost-effective, solar panels have a number of other benefits. They are clean (emitting no air pollution or greenhouse gases), they are quiet (unlike many other forms of power generation), and they require no water (unlike nuclear, coal, and natural gas plants). Solar also has a very small footprint, as the land area required for a photovoltaic plant is only about 0.4% of the land area required for a coal plant.
It would take around 10 million acres of land—or only 0.4% of the area of the United States—to allow enough space for solar photovoltaics (PV) to supply all of our nation’s electricity.
https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/top-reasons-solar-energy
4. Solar photovoltaics is one of the most promising renewable energy options
Solar PV is becoming increasingly efficient and affordable, making it a realistic option for powering our homes and businesses. With continued research and development, the efficiency of solar panels is expected to increase even further, making them an increasingly viable option for large-scale power generation.
5. Solar Panels Are Becoming More Effective
Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular as a way to generate electricity. And for good reason – they’re renewable, environmentally friendly, and relatively low maintenance. But one of the biggest concerns about solar panels has always been their efficiency. In other words, how much of the sun’s energy do they actually capture and convert into usable electricity? Fortunately, solar panel technology has come a long way in recent years. Newer models are much more efficient than older ones, meaning that they can generate more electricity with less exposure to sunlight. In fact, some of the latest solar panels are so efficient that they can even generate electricity on cloudy days. As solar panel technology continues to improve, it is becoming an increasingly attractive option for those looking to reduce their reliance on traditional sources of energy.
