Solar Power

Evaluation

Although it may seem that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages of solar power, its versatility means that it can replace fossil fuels for many uses including heating, electricity generation, hot water systems... The key setback is the low energy density of solar power, which leads to large areas of land being needed to meet demand, and the land use conflicts associated with this. Potential as a sustainable resource - being low-carbon technology, this is a good option for future use to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. New developments in solar technology like multi-junction photovoltaic (PV) cells means that efficiency of light absorption is increased by more than 16%. This can be implemented in areas with a poorer infrastructure and has great potential in desert areas, where production would be especially high due to the lack of cloud cover and the high light intensity.One other factor that prevents solar power being a sole energy resource is the intermittency and lack of reliability - particularly in areas away from the equator. Seasonal variations in Britain mean that the production of electricity from solar panels varies greatly around the year, as in the winter there is more cloud cover, which can scatter the light and prevent the optimum function of parabolic reflectors (which focus the light to increase intensity) and block the sun.