by Michael Raymond

Created on: February 15, 2010

Solar Quest

A preliminary search at your favorite search engine on the topic of “drawbacks of solar power” yields some interesting tidbits. One such morsel, on a page dedicated to solar power deficiencies reads:

"Solar power is actually one of the cleanest methods of energy production known. Because solar panels simply convert the energy of the sun into energy mankind can use, there are no harmful byproducts or threats to the environment." -

http://library.thinkquest.org/20331/types/solar/prob lems.html

The first statement is intriguing and would appear to outweigh any of the concerns that follow. Solar power; free, clean, renewable and non-polluting in nature. If you will pardon the pun, that sounds like a glowing recommendation. Then, the author goes on to discuss some of the potential drawbacks to utilizing solar energy.

"One major concern is the cost of solar power. Solar panels (accumulators) are not cheap; and because they are constructed from fragile materials (semiconductors, glass, etc.), they must constantly be maintained and often replaced."

"Further, since each photovoltaic panel has only about a 40% efficiency, single solar panels are not sufficient power producers. However, this problem has been offset by the gathering together of many large panels acting in accord to produce energy. Although this setup takes up much more space, it does generate much more power."

Based on that reading, according to the author of the content on that site, the two biggest drawbacks to switching to solar power are 1) Inefficiency of the collectors and 2) Because the photovoltaic (PV) panels are inefficient it requires a large amount of space to get any useful energy conversion out of them.

Photovoltaic means they do a direct conversion to electricity from the light of the sun.

Starting with the second item of that list, there are several responses. First, the amount of space required for traditional delivery of electric power is significant as well. You need the main generating plant, the distribution network, the substations, the utility poles, the high tension, high voltage wire, access and egress to each and every one of those facilities, all the trucks and heavy equipment for installing and maintaining all of the other equipment, installations and facilities and more that could all be added to that list.

In addition, it appears to be a waste of time, effort and resources to string the high voltage cables to the supporting stanchions stretching for dozens,

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