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Solar technology's recent prevalence has seen both large organizations and individual consumers choose to integrate solar power into commercial facilities and homes nearly everywhere. Solar power's renewable, eco-friendly supply of energy isn't the only factor to consider when deciding to transition your household to a solar system, though. While the best solar companies simplify the solar panel installation process, it is still a lengthy, complex process with many factors and variables to consider.

If you're thinking about offsetting both your environmental impact and power bill by adding solar power to your home or business, our guide on solar energy's pros and con can help you decide if it'll be a sustainable option for you.

Power Your Home With Solar

Find a network of trusted installers for your solar system, solar panels and electricity needs. Find a solar panel installer today!

What Is Solar Energy?

Solar energy is electrical or thermal energy harvested from sunlight. Solar panels contain photovoltaic (PV) cells made up of semiconductor materials (such as silicon) to absorb elemental particles from the sun called photons. When absorbed by the panel, the photons release electrons from the atoms of the semiconductor material and the flow of these electrons within the cell creates an electric current we can direct to our circuits.

Solar panels can be placed anywhere with an abundance of sunlight, such as open fields or rooftops. The more light the panels sit exposed to, the more electricity production potential.

The sun's constant barrage of energy in the form of photons can be collected, transformed and used to power our world-but for you, the question may be more about cost-effectiveness. Is solar efficient enough to power your home or business? Below are the pros and cons of this process and what solar's availability and cost mean for consumers.

Pros and Cons of Solar Energy

Advantages of Solar Energy

Renewable Energy Source

Fossil fuel remains a resource in declining supply that, when burned to create energy, releases harmful byproducts into our atmosphere. Solar power has the potential to help us minimize our use of fossil fuels and the impact we have on the environment.

Reduces Electric Bill

Solar energy can help most consumers power their homes as an alternative or supplement to purchasing electricity from a grid. With power prices on the rise, consumers stand to save a considerable amount on monthly power bills by switching to solar.

Energy Independence

A home reliant entirely on solar power features the capacity to function entirely off-grid, especially when supplemented with a solar battery system to maintain power during non-daylight hours. These battery systems can also turn solar systems into emergency backups during power outages.

Solar Panels Increase Home Values

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory , every dollar a solar panel saves you on your electrical bills increases the value of your home by $20. Also , homes with solar panels sell for four percent higher than those without them. If a home has solar panels, its owners will be saving money in the long run, increasing its appeal and value.

Long-Term Savings

The start-up costs for a solar system represent a significant expense, but the costs are usually mitigated by savings on the electric bill. Consumers can often break even on the investment-usually within six to 10 years-and then start reaping the benefits well before the system needs replacement or considerable maintenance.

Low-Maintenance Costs

Once installed, a solar system requires little maintenance as long as it remains unaffected by environmental factors. If panels are kept clean and free of debris, they should continue to function without any additional action by the consumer for many years.

Regarding maintenance, professional service for your panels can cost between $140 to $180, while an annual inspection or cleaning can cost about $150. However, solar panel warranties typically cover them with performance guarantees.

Benefits the Community

A process known as net metering allows consumers to sell excess electricity their panels produce back to the utility company, further reducing utility bills. This often reduces a community's reliance on fossil fuels, as well.

Diverse Uses

Solar energy is extremely versatile, and can provide power not only to our homes and appliances but to places where channeling power from a grid is impractical or impossible, such as remote, off-grid regions, satellites and boats.

Rising Power Prices

The price of electricity has been on the rise for the past ten years and remains unlikely to decrease in the near future. Solar power can help the consumer keep bills low and with net metering, many consumers can even sell extra energy back to the utility company to turn rising electricity prices to their advantage.

Technology Is Improving and Prices Are Decreasing

Technology has improved tremendously since the early days of solar power and advancements continue to be made every day. Better yet, despite these advancements, solar's ubiquity appears to have driven its cost down, making solar more accessible to more consumers. Many state incentive programs and a federal tax credit can also help consumers minimize the out-of-pocket amount they spend on a new solar system.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Solar Panel Installers

Select a State To Get Started With Your No Commitment, Free Estimate

Find a Solar Panel Installer

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

High Cost of Solar Panels

Despite decreases in the cost of solar panels over the past ten years, a complete solar installation still requires significant investment. On average, a consumer can expect to pay around $18,000 on a complete solar setup for a home before accounting for any incentives and the federal solar tax credit.

Sunlight Dependent

Without sunlight, a system reliant on solar energy cannot produce power. This can pose a problem for consumers in areas with less-than-ideal levels of sun exposure or poor weather. Solar batteries to store excess energy can help mitigate this issue and even under constant-clouds the best solar panels will still remain cost and energy efficient enough to be worth the installation.

Installation Can Be Difficult

Although most of the components in installing solar panels are relatively simple, if you're not a fan of being on a roof or not comfortable working with electricity, solar panel installation can be complicated. For instance, tying the panel wiring into the home can be complex for the average DIYer and should be left to the professionals.

Space Constraints

Solar panels and the associated wiring take up space. Depending on the number of solar panels needed, finding enough space with adequate exposure can be difficult, especially in less-spacious residential areas.

Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive

Since solar batteries store the excess energy generated by your solar panels, they are essential to your solar panel system. However, they can be costly depending on the type and size of the battery. For instance, a single lead-acid battery can cost between , while a residential lithium-ion solar system can cost $7,000 to $14,000 .

Environmental Impact of Manufacturing

The production of solar technology has its environmental downsides, as the mining of materials and manufacturing of solar panels creates a considerable amount of greenhouse gas. The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy issued a report revealing that solar panels pay for themselves in terms of greenhouse gas emissions within one to four years of use, so while certainly still a downside, much of the issue can be mitigated.

Difficulty With Relocation

Uninstalling a solar system and moving it can be difficult, time-consuming and expensive, so the semi-permanence of the structures means panels are not often something you'll take with you from house to house. They're often best considered an investment in the structure or property they're added to.

Scarcity of Materials

Sunlight may be unlimited, but the materials required to manufacture solar technology are not. The availability of the raw materials required to produce solar products may not be sufficient to meet future demand and the options for mining these materials can have a significant environmental impact.

Disposal or Recycling Options

Solar technology contains some of the same environmentally-harmful substances in many consumer and industrial electronics, so proper disposal is critical. At present, recycling options for solar panels remain limited.

How Sustainable Is Solar Energy?

Solar energy certainly remains more sustainable than fossil fuels, which are limited in supply and release harmful greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere when burned. The limiting factor in the sustainability of solar energy overall primarily comes from a scarcity in the raw materials required to produce solar technology, the greenhouse gasses emitted during manufacturing, and the impact of panel disposal on the environment.

The use of solar power in lieu of grid power, however, offsets the emissions and carbon footprint of production within four years of use. Additionally, solar panels are ultimately recyclable, as they're made from glass, metal and silicon. At present, we lack adequate infrastructure to collect and facilitate the recycling process on a large scale.

Who Should Use Solar Energy?

Solar energy is now accessible to both large-scale industry and individual consumers. Any consumer with the substantial means to invest in a solar system installation can benefit from the pros and long-term savings mentioned above. Solar loans also may offer solutions to those without the hefty capital required.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Solar Panel Installers

Free, No-commitment Estimates

Is Solar Energy Worth the Cost?

Typically, yes, solar energy is worth the cost. But whether or not it's right for you depends on many variables you'll need to investigate for yourself, including your location, tax rebates and incentives and net metering availability among others. While pros significantly outweigh cons, the feasibility of a solar venture will vary based on the consumer's financial means, living situation and space constraints.

Bottom Line

The pros of solar energy considerably outweigh the cons. It may take several years, but purchasing and installing a solar system can eventually result in major savings on electricity for the consumer in addition to benefits for our environment.

Looking For Hassle-Free Solar Installation

Find a network of trusted installers for solar system, solar panels and electricity needs. Find a solar panel installer today!

Future Outlook for Solar Energy

The sun is a powerful force, one of Earth's most reliable and plentiful energy sources. As a result, solar energy is experiencing a remarkable surge in growth, and it is expected to remain a prominent player in the energy landscape for the foreseeable future.

In the past few years, solar power has been steadily increasing in popularity, which is expected to continue. This exponential growth is driven by several key factors, including the reduction in the cost of solar panels, which has made harnessing the sun's power more affordable than ever. Additionally, advancements in solar technology have increased its efficiency, making solar energy systems even more attractive to both residential and commercial owners. This combination of cost-effectiveness and efficiency will certainly drive the continued adoption of solar energy across the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the advantages of solar panels?

Aside from significantly reducing your electricity bill, there are certainly a few advantages to installing solar panels, such as reducing your carbon footprint, preparing your home for grid outages and improving the value of your home.

How long do solar panels last?

The average solar panel should maintain peak performance for about 25-30 years. After this time a solar panel can still produce electricity but may experience a decline in efficiency and energy production.

Do solar panels work in the rain?

Yes, solar panels will continue to work in the rain, but production may not be as high as on sunny days. Solar panels can still produce at least 30 to 50% of maximum output during cloudy weather and about 10-20% of maximum output if it's raining heavily. The use of solar batteries can provide backup power during rainy days for those relying completely on solar.

Do solar panels work in the winter?

Yes, solar panels will continue to work in the winter. Cold weather itself will not impact the efficiency of solar panels, but other factors such as accumulated snowfall and shorter days can decrease the amount of energy produced by the panels throughout the day.

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Solar Energy Pros And Cons: What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages?

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Get expert advice on improvements to your home, including design tips, how much you'd expect to pay for a pro and what to ask when hiring experts.

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Solar technology's recent prevalence has seen both large organizations and individual consumers choose to integrate solar power into commercial facilities and homes nearly everywhere. Solar power's renewable, eco-friendly supply of energy isn't the only factor to consider when deciding to transition your household to a solar system, though. While the best solar companies simplify the solar panel installation process, it is still a lengthy, complex process with many factors and variables to consider.

If you're thinking about offsetting both your environmental impact and power bill by adding solar power to your home or business, our guide on solar energy's pros and con can help you decide if it'll be a sustainable option for you.

Power Your Home With Solar

Find a network of trusted installers for your solar system, solar panels and electricity needs. Find a solar panel installer today!

What Is Solar Energy?

Solar energy is electrical or thermal energy harvested from sunlight. Solar panels contain photovoltaic (PV) cells made up of semiconductor materials (such as silicon) to absorb elemental particles from the sun called photons. When absorbed by the panel, the photons release electrons from the atoms of the semiconductor material and the flow of these electrons within the cell creates an electric current we can direct to our circuits.

Solar panels can be placed anywhere with an abundance of sunlight, such as open fields or rooftops. The more light the panels sit exposed to, the more electricity production potential.

The sun's constant barrage of energy in the form of photons can be collected, transformed and used to power our world-but for you, the question may be more about cost-effectiveness. Is solar efficient enough to power your home or business? Below are the pros and cons of this process and what solar's availability and cost mean for consumers.

Pros and Cons of Solar Energy

Advantages of Solar Energy

Renewable Energy Source

Fossil fuel remains a resource in declining supply that, when burned to create energy, releases harmful byproducts into our atmosphere. Solar power has the potential to help us minimize our use of fossil fuels and the impact we have on the environment.

Reduces Electric Bill

Solar energy can help most consumers power their homes as an alternative or supplement to purchasing electricity from a grid. With power prices on the rise, consumers stand to save a considerable amount on monthly power bills by switching to solar.

Energy Independence

A home reliant entirely on solar power features the capacity to function entirely off-grid, especially when supplemented with a solar battery system to maintain power during non-daylight hours. These battery systems can also turn solar systems into emergency backups during power outages.

Solar Panels Increase Home Values

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory , every dollar a solar panel saves you on your electrical bills increases the value of your home by $20. Also , homes with solar panels sell for four percent higher than those without them. If a home has solar panels, its owners will be saving money in the long run, increasing its appeal and value.

Long-Term Savings

The start-up costs for a solar system represent a significant expense, but the costs are usually mitigated by savings on the electric bill. Consumers can often break even on the investment-usually within six to 10 years-and then start reaping the benefits well before the system needs replacement or considerable maintenance.

Low-Maintenance Costs

Once installed, a solar system requires little maintenance as long as it remains unaffected by environmental factors. If panels are kept clean and free of debris, they should continue to function without any additional action by the consumer for many years.

Regarding maintenance, professional service for your panels can cost between $140 to $180, while an annual inspection or cleaning can cost about $150. However, solar panel warranties typically cover them with performance guarantees.

Benefits the Community

A process known as net metering allows consumers to sell excess electricity their panels produce back to the utility company, further reducing utility bills. This often reduces a community's reliance on fossil fuels, as well.

Diverse Uses

Solar energy is extremely versatile, and can provide power not only to our homes and appliances but to places where channeling power from a grid is impractical or impossible, such as remote, off-grid regions, satellites and boats.

Rising Power Prices

The price of electricity has been on the rise for the past ten years and remains unlikely to decrease in the near future. Solar power can help the consumer keep bills low and with net metering, many consumers can even sell extra energy back to the utility company to turn rising electricity prices to their advantage.

Technology Is Improving and Prices Are Decreasing

Technology has improved tremendously since the early days of solar power and advancements continue to be made every day. Better yet, despite these advancements, solar's ubiquity appears to have driven its cost down, making solar more accessible to more consumers. Many state incentive programs and a federal tax credit can also help consumers minimize the out-of-pocket amount they spend on a new solar system.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Solar Panel Installers

Select a State To Get Started With Your No Commitment, Free Estimate

Find a Solar Panel Installer

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

High Cost of Solar Panels

Despite decreases in the cost of solar panels over the past ten years, a complete solar installation still requires significant investment. On average, a consumer can expect to pay around $18,000 on a complete solar setup for a home before accounting for any incentives and the federal solar tax credit.

Sunlight Dependent

Without sunlight, a system reliant on solar energy cannot produce power. This can pose a problem for consumers in areas with less-than-ideal levels of sun exposure or poor weather. Solar batteries to store excess energy can help mitigate this issue and even under constant-clouds the best solar panels will still remain cost and energy efficient enough to be worth the installation.

Installation Can Be Difficult

Although most of the components in installing solar panels are relatively simple, if you're not a fan of being on a roof or not comfortable working with electricity, solar panel installation can be complicated. For instance, tying the panel wiring into the home can be complex for the average DIYer and should be left to the professionals.

Space Constraints

Solar panels and the associated wiring take up space. Depending on the number of solar panels needed, finding enough space with adequate exposure can be difficult, especially in less-spacious residential areas.

Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive

Since solar batteries store the excess energy generated by your solar panels, they are essential to your solar panel system. However, they can be costly depending on the type and size of the battery. For instance, a single lead-acid battery can cost between , while a residential lithium-ion solar system can cost $7,000 to $14,000 .

Environmental Impact of Manufacturing

The production of solar technology has its environmental downsides, as the mining of materials and manufacturing of solar panels creates a considerable amount of greenhouse gas. The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy issued a report revealing that solar panels pay for themselves in terms of greenhouse gas emissions within one to four years of use, so while certainly still a downside, much of the issue can be mitigated.

Difficulty With Relocation

Uninstalling a solar system and moving it can be difficult, time-consuming and expensive, so the semi-permanence of the structures means panels are not often something you'll take with you from house to house. They're often best considered an investment in the structure or property they're added to.

Scarcity of Materials

Sunlight may be unlimited, but the materials required to manufacture solar technology are not. The availability of the raw materials required to produce solar products may not be sufficient to meet future demand and the options for mining these materials can have a significant environmental impact.

Disposal or Recycling Options

Solar technology contains some of the same environmentally-harmful substances in many consumer and industrial electronics, so proper disposal is critical. At present, recycling options for solar panels remain limited.

How Sustainable Is Solar Energy?

Solar energy certainly remains more sustainable than fossil fuels, which are limited in supply and release harmful greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere when burned. The limiting factor in the sustainability of solar energy overall primarily comes from a scarcity in the raw materials required to produce solar technology, the greenhouse gasses emitted during manufacturing, and the impact of panel disposal on the environment.

The use of solar power in lieu of grid power, however, offsets the emissions and carbon footprint of production within four years of use. Additionally, solar panels are ultimately recyclable, as they're made from glass, metal and silicon. At present, we lack adequate infrastructure to collect and facilitate the recycling process on a large scale.

Who Should Use Solar Energy?

Solar energy is now accessible to both large-scale industry and individual consumers. Any consumer with the substantial means to invest in a solar system installation can benefit from the pros and long-term savings mentioned above. Solar loans also may offer solutions to those without the hefty capital required.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Solar Panel Installers

Free, No-commitment Estimates

Is Solar Energy Worth the Cost?

Typically, yes, solar energy is worth the cost. But whether or not it's right for you depends on many variables you'll need to investigate for yourself, including your location, tax rebates and incentives and net metering availability among others. While pros significantly outweigh cons, the feasibility of a solar venture will vary based on the consumer's financial means, living situation and space constraints.

Bottom Line

The pros of solar energy considerably outweigh the cons. It may take several years, but purchasing and installing a solar system can eventually result in major savings on electricity for the consumer in addition to benefits for our environment.

Looking For Hassle-Free Solar Installation

Find a network of trusted installers for solar system, solar panels and electricity needs. Find a solar panel installer today!

Future Outlook for Solar Energy

The sun is a powerful force, one of Earth's most reliable and plentiful energy sources. As a result, solar energy is experiencing a remarkable surge in growth, and it is expected to remain a prominent player in the energy landscape for the foreseeable future.

In the past few years, solar power has been steadily increasing in popularity, which is expected to continue. This exponential growth is driven by several key factors, including the reduction in the cost of solar panels, which has made harnessing the sun's power more affordable than ever. Additionally, advancements in solar technology have increased its efficiency, making solar energy systems even more attractive to both residential and commercial owners. This combination of cost-effectiveness and efficiency will certainly drive the continued adoption of solar energy across the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the advantages of solar panels?

Aside from significantly reducing your electricity bill, there are certainly a few advantages to installing solar panels, such as reducing your carbon footprint, preparing your home for grid outages and improving the value of your home.

How long do solar panels last?

The average solar panel should maintain peak performance for about 25-30 years. After this time a solar panel can still produce electricity but may experience a decline in efficiency and energy production.

Do solar panels work in the rain?

Yes, solar panels will continue to work in the rain, but production may not be as high as on sunny days. Solar panels can still produce at least 30 to 50% of maximum output during cloudy weather and about 10-20% of maximum output if it's raining heavily. The use of solar batteries can provide backup power during rainy days for those relying completely on solar.

Do solar panels work in the winter?

Yes, solar panels will continue to work in the winter. Cold weather itself will not impact the efficiency of solar panels, but other factors such as accumulated snowfall and shorter days can decrease the amount of energy produced by the panels throughout the day.

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Solar Energy Pros And Cons: What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages?

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Get expert advice on improvements to your home, including design tips, how much you'd expect to pay for a pro and what to ask when hiring experts.

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Solar batteries, a solar panel system that stores extra energy produced, have varied prices based on the size and type of battery but expensive.
Cost: $7,000-$14,000.

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Difficulties in Installation and Uninstallation

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Difficulties in Installation and Uninstallation

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If the installer is not big fan of technologies and engineering, the installation of Solar Panel can be difficult. Moreover, relocating and moving Solar Panel would be complicated, time-consuming, and high cost due to the structure of the Solar Panel.

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Since the Solar Panels always generate power provided by Sunlight, on days that has poor weather, Solar Panel is not able to produce power. Nevertheless, the issue has been solved by developing technology to store the sunlight. These list of Solar Panels have best efficient functions: SunPower(Mazeon), Panasonic Solar, Q CELLS, Canadian Solar, REC Solar.

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According to Forbes, an American business magazine, has published an article about the cost of Solar Panels. The range of price of Solar Panel is $4,500 to $36,000 and the average is $16,000 which is extremely high compared to fossil fuels that is commonly circulate in the market.

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Technologies utilizing solar energy are able to used in different areas of community including boats, off-grid areas, remote, and even satellites.

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Technology using solar energy such as solar panels, when solar panels are maintained clean, they do not necessarily require additional cost for maintenance unless it is not affected by environmental factors.

Professional service cost: $140 - $180
Annual inspection or cleaning cost: $150
Nevertheless, solar panel warranties generally cover with performance guarantees.

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A solar panel is able to increase value of home by $20. Moreover, houses with solar panels are able to be sold 4% higher than houses without. Houseowners are able to sell in margin in long term as the value of solar panel increases.

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The value of fossil fuel, the most common energy resource, is $0.24–$0.45/kWh currently since there are regions where fossil fuel is concentrated. Therefore, the fossil fuels rises, however, solar energy does not likely to increase exponentially like fossil fuels.

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Average global prices of oil, natural gas and coal, measured as an energy index where prices in 2001=100.

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Solar Energy has possibilities of displacing fossil fuels which pollutes the atmosphere and accerelate climate change.

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Solar energy is generating thermal energy, chemical reactions, or electricity from the radiation of the Sun. The total amount of solar energy accumulated from the past is overwhelmingly more than current solar energy and predicted energy requirements. In other words, solar energy has huge potential to alternate the energies that cause climate change.

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solar energy, radiation from the Sun capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity. The total amount of solar energy incident on Earth is vastly in excess of the world's current and anticipated energy requirements. If suitably harnessed, this highly diffused source has the potential to satisfy all future energy needs. In the 21st century solar energy is expected to become increasingly attractive as a renewable energy source because of its inexhaustible supply and its nonpolluting character, in stark contrast to the finite fossil fuels coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

The Sun is an extremely powerful energy source, and sunlight is by far the largest source of energy received by Earth, but its intensity at Earth's surface is actually quite low. This is essentially because of the enormous radial spreading of radiation from the distant Sun. A relatively minor additional loss is due to Earth's atmosphere and clouds, which absorb or scatter as much as 54 percent of the incoming sunlight. The sunlight that reaches the ground consists of nearly 50 percent visible light, 45 percent infrared radiation, and smaller amounts of ultraviolet and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.

The potential for solar energy is enormous, since about 200,000 times the world's total daily electric-generating capacity is received by Earth every day in the form of solar energy. Unfortunately, though solar energy itself is free, the high cost of its collection, conversion, and storage still limits its exploitation in many places. Solar radiation can be converted either into thermal energy (heat) or into electrical energy, though the former is easier to accomplish.

Thermal energy

Among the most common devices used to capture solar energy and convert it to thermal energy are flat-plate collectors, which are used for solar heating applications. Because the intensity of solar radiation at Earth's surface is so low, these collectors must be large in area. Even in sunny parts of the world's temperate regions, for instance, a collector must have a surface area of about 40 square metres (430 square feet) to gather enough energy to serve the energy needs of one person.

The most widely used flat-plate collectors consist of a blackened metal plate, covered with one or two sheets of glass, that is heated by the sunlight falling on it. This heat is then transferred to air or water, called carrier fluids, that flow past the back of the plate. The heat may be used directly, or it may be transferred to another medium for storage. Flat-plate collectors are commonly used for solar water heaters and house heating. The storage of heat for use at night or on cloudy days is commonly accomplished by using insulated tanks to store the water heated during sunny periods. Such a system can supply a home with hot water drawn from the storage tank, or, with the warmed water flowing through tubes in floors and ceilings, it can provide space heating. Flat-plate collectors typically heat carrier fluids to temperatures ranging from 66 to 93 °C (150 to 200 °F). The efficiency of such collectors (i.e., the proportion of the energy received that they convert into usable energy) ranges from 20 to 80 percent, depending on the design of the collector.

Another method of thermal energy conversion is found in solar ponds, which are bodies of salt water designed to collect and store solar energy. The heat extracted from such ponds enables the production of chemicals, food, textiles, and other industrial products and can also be used to warm greenhouses, swimming pools, and livestock buildings. Solar ponds are sometimes used to produce electricity through the use of the organic Rankine cycle engine, a relatively efficient and economical means of solar energy conversion, which is especially useful in remote locations. Solar ponds are fairly expensive to install and maintain and are generally limited to warm rural areas.

On a smaller scale, the Sun's energy can also be harnessed to cook food in specially designed solar ovens. Solar ovens typically concentrate sunlight from over a wide area to a central point, where a black-surfaced vessel converts the sunlight into heat. The ovens are typically portable and require no other fuel inputs.

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Solar energy | Definition, Uses, Advantages, & Facts

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Solar energy, radiation from the Sun capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity. The total amount of solar energy incident on Earth is vastly in excess of the world's energy requirements and could satisfy all future energy needs if suitably harnessed.