Amjad+2010

Our world is facing an energy crisis due to the fact that the fossil fuel is non-renewable and not a clean source of energy. At the rate people are burning fossil fuels, very soon a situation will come when the whole world will run out of all kinds of energy. This means that the whole world will be at a standstill and will revert back to the stone age because without energy, people will not be able to enjoy the technologies that we have now. It is high time that countries around the world should start finding alternate ways to generate energy. Although most nations have now started using solar power as a secondary source for energy, they should use it as a primary source. It may be true that solar power depends on weather conditions, generates a small amount of electricity, and uses very expensive materials to make the solar panels; nevertheless, solar power is safe, cheap, renewable and sustainable, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly. ==== Solar energy is still not very much popular among the masses. The reason behind this is that people have a notion that solar power depends on good weather conditions. That may be true, however there are some other tremendously positive points about solar power. We all know that solar power is efficient due to the reason that this energy comes from the sun, is renewable, and can be stored in solar cells over long periods of time. According to the website renewableenergyworld.com, there are varieties of technologies that have been developed to take advantage of solar energy. These include photovoltaic systems (producing electricity directly from sunlight), solar hot water (heating water with solar energy), solar electricity (using the sun's heat to produce electricity), passive solar heating and day lighting (using solar energy to heat and light buildings), and solar process space heating and cooling (industrial and commercial uses of the sun's heat). (Types of Solar Energy). So, there is so much more that we are capable or doing to help the world energy crisis by exploiting the many types of solar energy currently available to us. Thus we could do wonders if we will would just invest more money for solar panels, batteries, etc. to make good use of this clean source of energy we already have. ==== Everybody agrees that solar power is good for the environment. However, people also say that in the case of producing electricity, it is an expensive option and there are much more economical options available. In the article, __ Energy & Green Tech __, Miranda Marquit says that these economical options are also good in regards to preserving clean environment. For example, nuclear power in many countries has been used for the last few decades because it is considered economical as well as less polluting than other means of producing electricity. However, currently, in the latest technological developments, solar power has become the more economical option of producing electricity. In addition Marquit explains that recent studies show that solar power may be more cost efficient than nuclear power. With costs dropping on the production of photovoltaic cells, and with solar cells becoming increasingly efficient, it appears that -- in North Carolina at least -- solar installations offer a viable alternative to nuclear power, which is the source for about 20% of the electricity in the U.S. (Marquit). So now, after this latest technological development, countries should opt for solar power instead of nuclear power as it is less polluting as well as more economical. We all know that expensive materials are used to make the solar panels. That’s why they are quite expensive to buy. However, they are safe because solar panels don't use dangerous chemicals. It is absolutely the fact that producing solar power does not need to use any kind of energy which may be dangerous for the environment or for people. Moreover, it is not only the best option for people who are stationed at remote places on earth but it is also the best power option for use in space. A recent article in National Geographic reports that solar power is lauded as an inexhaustible fuel source that is pollution and often noise free. The technology is also versatile. For example, solar cells generate energy for far-out places like satellites in Earth orbit and cabins deep in the Rocky Mountains as easily as they can power downtown buildings and futuristic cars (National Geographic).
 * Usefulness of Solar Power**

My perspective is very much clear with respect to the consumption of energy in today’s world. We have to shun any use of fossil fuels fast immediately or otherwise our life will be doomed by ever-increasing pollution and the vicious effects of global warming. According to National Geographic, environmental experts have rated global warming as the potentially most dangerous environmental problem facing mankind with the consequences second only to nuclear war. Global warming has occurred in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and over all the oceans. Both the poles have started showing the effect as glaciers have started melting. Not only poles, local climate conditions will also be affected, which will ultimately affect trees, crops and fresh water .It will ultimately lead to debacle of the ecosystems. Right now the change in sea ice near Scandinavian countries is not much, yet it is alarming and curtain raiser of a much significant impact. Unfortunately environmentalists all over the world are unable to ascertain till date that how much will be the impact and how it will be distributed? However, some of the places of the world have already been affected badly by this. (National Geogrphic) Thus at present, we have to find a viable option, which can provide us our required quantum of energy while not being harmful to the environment. At this juncture, the harnessing of solar energy is the only option left to people and they should do it quickly and in a more earnest manner.

In conclusion, solar power is one of the best energy sources because it’s safe, clean, economical, renewable & sustainable, energy efficient and environmentally friendly too. These positives far outweigh any negatives concerning the use of solar energy. condition. In my opinion, I think that all countries should develop their use of solar power as their primary energy source. due to the fact that it is a renewable energy source, environmentally friendly and the best answer and alternative to use of fossil fuels. The optimum utilization of solar energy is to consume and conserve during the sunny days so that we can enjoy its use in cloudy days and during nights as well. **Work Cited** = Marquit. Miranda. Is solar power cheaper than nuclear power?. //Energy & Green Tech//. 9 Aug. 2012. Web 29 Nov. 2012.[] = = Solar Energy. National Geographic. 2012. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.<[]> =
 * Types of Solar energy. Renewable Energy. 2012. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. < []> **