Benefits of the Use of Solar Energy - Research Paper Example

Solar Energy Name Institution Date Solar Energy Introduction In the modern world, the demand for energy is on the increase due to its increased use. However, most sources of energy that are currently being used are not renewable. This has impacted negatively on the sustainability issues. Non-renewable energy is not friendly to the environment as it causes pollution and hence contributing to carbon emission. However, solar energy is a renewable source of energy that is reliable and has the ability of meeting the demands of the people in terms of energy (Boxwell, 2012). Unlike the other sources of energy, solar energy does not cause and environmental effect. This is because the energy is obtained directly from the sun. It is also important to note that solar energy can be used to perform the same functions as the other sources of energy. The Purpose The relevance of solar energy use in the modern day is important as most of the energy companies as well as individuals are increasingly using the solar energy. Currently the topic of global warming, sustainability and environmental protection is increasingly becoming popular. These issues are directly linked to the solar energy. With the increase in carbon emission and global warming, most of the organizations prefer using green energy for their operations (Hough, 2006). This is for the purposes of ensuring that sustainability is achieved. The topic is thus important in providing more information regarding the use of solar energy and why it is increasingly becoming popular. On the other hand, the environment and sustainability is at stake and it affects the future. This makes the topic relevant in the modern day. Thesis and Research Objectives The use of solar energy is increasingly becoming popular in most parts of the world. This has seen the change in methods of energy production and most of are shifting to the use of solar energy. Most of the energy experts are also continuously advising the people to use solar energy for the purposes of sustainability. The research intends to determine the relevance of using solar energy in the modern day and why it is becoming popular in most parts of the world. The research also intends to determine the benefits of solar energy. Literature Review Solar energy is inexhaustible, affordable and clean which makes it beneficial in the long term. The use of solar energy will also increase the energy security in most countries that are currently facing energy shortage due to the use of other methods of energy production. Solar energy is relevant in the modern times due to its ability of enhancing sustainability and hence impacting positively on the future generation. The use of solar energy is cheap as compared to the other methods of generating energy (Mahaney, 2007). The cost issue is also relevant in the modern days as the cost of energy is already high. The high levels of pollution during the production of energy while using the non-renewable means has a negative impact on the environment. The high rate of pollution has contributed to the environmental problems including global warming which is of concern among most of the countries and international agencies. On the other hand, the use of solar energy does not require the development of complex systems and structures. It is economical as the solar panels can be installed on top of the buildings. Most of the people are increasingly embracing the use of the solar energy due to its reliability. The topic of solar energy is also important as the president of the United States of America also encouraged the people to embrace the use of solar energy in order to meet their energy needs. The solar energy is thus increasingly becoming popular in most parts of the world due to its reliability and benefits. According to Morris, (2006), the use of solar energy impacts positively on the sustainability and environmental protection. He agrees that the use of solar energy will reduce the environmental pollution and it will also lower the cost of energy. The individuals will also benefit due to the use of solar energy as it is reliable since it can be stored for use at night or seasons with low intensity of sunshine. Richards, (2009), argues that the current reliance on the non-renewable energy is too high and it impacts negatively on sustainability. The continuous use of the non-renewable energy leads to the depletion of resources and hence its negative impacts on the future generation. He further uses the example of hydroelectric generation which has adverse impacts on the environment and sustainability. He further agrees with the statement echoed by the other experts who have recommended that every home should be fitted with solar panels in order to utilize solar energy. This will plays an essential role in promoting sustainability as it will reduce the overdependence on the non-renewable energy. Sukhatme, (2008), also supports the use of solar energy and he considers it as an answer to the modern energy problems. This is because the use of solar energy can be used on a wide range of applications at a lower cost. The use of solar energy to heat water is more cost effective as compared to the use of other means of energy to heat the same amount of water. This is an indication that the use of solar energy is relevant in the modern times. The use of solar energy is beneficial to the society in terms of ensuring that sustainability can be achieved. In order to achieve sustainability, the government should work with the private organizations and the people. The development of policies that encourages the use of solar energy will ensure that the more people embrace its use and hence impacting positively on sustainability. On the other hand, the increased use of solar energy will reduce environmental pollution which will impact positively on the reduction of carbon footprint (Tiwari, 2006). The use of solar energy in different industries will also impact positively on the dependence on non-renewable sources if energy and hence promoting sustainability. The use of renewable sources of energy will also reduce the high cost of energy that is being experienced in the modern time. The high cost of energy has impacted negatively on the cost of living. This is because most of the manufacturing industries use energy during their processes. The high cost of production leads to a high cost of goods and services and hence leading to a high cost of living. The use of solar energy is also reliable and it will improve on the access of the people to electricity. This is because the use of solar energy to generate electricity does not require complex infrastructure. This is will be useful in the developing countries where there is no connectivity to electricity (Walker, 2013). The energy companies should also focus on using solar energy for the purposes of generating electricity in order to support sustainability. Methodology The purposes of the research is to establish why the relevance of solar energy in the modern times. This also includes the benefits of using the solar energy in the modern day. Many experts have also recommended the use of solar energy due to its ability to enhance sustainability and reduce the carbon emissions. The research will thus be conducted in order to establish the relevance and benefits of using solar energy in the modern times. The research will be carried out through the use of quantitative methods. The views of the local people as well the experts will be sought in order to obtain information regarding the topic. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the experts and the ordinary people will be involved during the process of collecting data. The information from the local people whoa re using the solar energy for different purpose will be useful in solving the research problem as the research is also dependant on the views of the users. The number of people who will be involved in the research will also be useful in determining the outcome of the research. The information will also be sort from different people who use do not use the solar energy and their views will also be obtained. This is for the purposes of obtaining information from different sources and hence eliminating any form of bias. The use of quantitative research methods during the data collection process will impact positively on the research. The research tools that will be used during the process will ensure that more information is captured and analyzed during the research. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the collection of primary research data is useful in obtaining the information regarding the topic. Questionnaires will be used for the purpose of collecting the data regarding the relevance of solar energy in the world today. The questionnaires will be structured in a simple manner for the purposes of ensuring that the respondents are able to understand the answer them easily. Interviews will also be organized with different respondents in order to obtain more information. The interviewed will mainly be collected on a face to face basis. This will involve visiting the physical location of the respondents. On the other hand, the questionnaires will be administered through the use of emails with the respondents. The use of telephone calls will be useful when dealing with the respondents who are located in distance areas. In order to prove the interview with the respondents took place, the cameras will be used for the purposes of recording the conversations. This will also ensure that the information that is obtained from the respondents can be verified. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the quality of the research is dependent on the data collection methods. The use of surveys will be utilized during the research in order to obtain more information regarding the topic. The research will target the people from different demographics. Both males and female will be targeted during the research. This is for the purposes of ensuring that any form of bias is eliminated from the research. It will also be useful in ensuring the quality of the research is enhanced. The respondents will involve both the local people and the experts in the field of energy. The opinions of the experts will play an essential role in ensuring that more information regarding the topic is obtained. The local people who use the solar energy and those who do not use the solar energy will also be involved during the research in order to obtain a balanced view of information regarding the topic. All the respondents who will be involved in the research will be above the age of 18. This is because most of the adults are in a better position to know more about the issues of energy as compared to the children. Ethics will be considered during the data collection process. This will be achieved through eliminating any form of bias during the collection of data. The respondents will not be influenced to answer questions in a particular way. High levels of accuracy will also be involved during the data collection process. It is also important to note that the credibility of the data collection process is dependant of the ethical issues as well as the levels of accuracy. Findings and implications The research established that the use of solar energy is relevant to the world today due to the positive impacts that it has on the people. Most of the experts believe that the use of solar energy will impact positively on sustainability. This is because of its renewable nature and non-exhaustible nature. On the other hand, most of the experts also highlighted the importance of environmental protection when generating energy. The use of the solar energy does not have any negative impact on the environment and it will therefore supplement the efforts of the environmentalists in terms of reducing the carbon footprints. According to the experts, the use of solar energy is also important considering that the population is on the increase which has also contributed to the increase in the demand for energy. The solar energy has the capacity of meeting the present and future energy demands. According to the other respondents who were not experts, the use of solar energy is relevant as it impacts positively on reducing the cost of energy. It also increases the access to energy by the local people. The method is also beneficial to the people living in the rural areas and has not been connected to the national grid in terms of electricity. The respondents also believe that the use of solar energy is also reliable since it can be stored. Its reliability impacts positively on the ability of the people to use the energy without interruptions. The results therefore mean that the policy makers should develop policies that will ensure that the use of solar energy is enhanced and promoted. The policies should target the users as well as the companies that generate electricity and other forms of energy. Every home should be fitted with solar panels in order to reduce the dependence on the other forms of non-renewable energy. It is also important for the policy makers to ensure that the use of non-renewable forms of energy is reduced. This will play an essential role in ensuring that the environmental pollution is reduced. The use of solar energy should also be promoted in the rural areas as it is beneficial to the rural population. This is considering that most of the people in the rural areas use wood fuel as a source of energy which also has negative impacts on the environment. This is because it leads to deforestation and the smoke emitted contributes to the increase in carbon footprints. The scientists should also come up with innovative methods for the purposes of developing equipment and gadgets that utilize the solar energy. This is because the future will mainly depend on the use of solar energy. The innovativeness of the scientists will play an essential role in ensuring that the use of solar energy is enhanced. The results obtained also indicate that the future of solar energy is bright and it will be widely used in most parts of the world. Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident that the use of solar energy is relevant in the modern time due to its benefits. The use of solar energy has a positive impact on the environment and hence its advantage over other methods of energy. The use of the solar energy is cost effective and it also has negative impacts on the pollution of the environment. Sustainability can also be achieved through the use of solar energy. This is because the similar energy is renewable and it cannot be exhausted. It is also evident that the experts are in support of the use of solar energy due to its benefits and positive impacts that it has on the environment. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the use of solar energy will impacts positively on the people living in the rural areas do not have access to electricity. The conservation of the natural resources can also be achieved through the use of the solar energy in the rural areas. The use of solar energy also has a bright future due to its advantages and abilities to promote sustainability. Recommendations In order to enhance the on the future research on the topic, it is recommended that the research should involve more people. The views of the people using the other means of energy should also be considered. This is especially for those who recommend the use of the non-renewable sources. The future research should also involve the response of the governments and other agencies that are involved in policy making. This will provide important information regarding the position of the authorities in relation to the use of solar energy. It is also recommended that the disadvantages of the solar energy if ay should be established in order to obtain full information regarding its advantages and disadvantages. The views of the scientists in different fields should also be obtained in order to determine the extent of the problem. The future implications can also be determined if the knowledge of the problems is already in place. References Boxwell, M. (2012). Solar electricity handbook: A simple practical guide to solar energy : : how to design and install photovoltaic solar electric systems. Ryton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire, U.K: Greenstream Publishing. Hough, T. P. (2006). Recent developments in solar energy. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Mahaney, I. F. (2007). Solar energy. New York: PowerKids Press. Morris, N. (2006). Solar power. North Mankato, Minn: Smart Apple Media. Richards, J. (2009). Solar energy. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark. Sukhatme, S. (2008). Solar energy: Principles of thermal collection and storage. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill. Tiwari, G. N. (2006). Solar energy technology advances. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Walker, A. (2013). Solar energy: Technologies and the project delivery process for buildings. Appendices Concepts Number (%) Experts inn support of solar energy 100 Local people in support of solar energy 80 Local people who understand the concepts of solar energy 60 Use o solar energy in rural areas 70 Ability of solar energy to support sustainability 80 Support of future use of solar energy 60 Graphical representation Read More