The Potential of Solar Energy - Research Paper Example

As global warming is already being experienced by the planet, without any firm and clear remedies for energy sources, its impact would continue to cause devastation to the planet. Global warming has been known to unbalance the global weather, causing droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures. The world is likely to experience extreme weather conditions which would cause significant devastation to the planet. Alternative sources of energy are the sources that are set to help ensure the planet’s sustainability.

The 1970 oil embargo prompted an interest in solar energy (Goffman, 2008). Soon after, solar water heaters, alongside photovoltaic panels were being installed, especially in California. While solar energy was considered a direct energy source, helping to secure esoteric uses, industries started to warm to the concept of solar energy as an energy source for residential areas. In theory, solar energy is an ideal source of energy, especially as it is free and is of unlimited supply. Solar radiation harvested in one year is able to power secure more than 10,000 times the planet’s energy needs (Goffman, 2008).

Also, harvesting even a quarter of solar energy reaching paved areas can already meet the world’s global energy needs. Still, there are technical issues seen in the harvest of energy, mostly in terms of collection, distribution, and storage (Goffman, 2008). Towards the end of the 20th century, solar energy was only used by only a few parties, with only 1% of solar energy actually used (Goffman, 2008). With the energy crises having been eased, solar energy was not anymore considered the competitive energy source when compared to other conventional energy sources like coal (Goffman, 2008).