Solar power vs. nuclear power can be compared in the following categories: the time required for installation or setup, the overall cost involved in the setup, and their total energy production output.
Although solar energy professionals are sure that renewable energy will be the future, tt will be wrong and misleading for us to give you a definite answer as to which energy source is better for your needs. We have a better idea, and that is for us to discuss both forms of energy and then leave you to make an informed decision based on what you’ve seen on the comparisons between nuclear energy and solar energy.
Before we go straight into the solar power vs. nuclear power discourse, let’s first introduce you to both energy sources individually, how they operate, and their pros and cons.
The Concept of Solar Energy
Solar energy is a form of renewable energy that’s sourced from the sun. It’s a means of generating electricity and is gaining popularity each year. Compared to the last decade, many more solar power plants and solar farms exist in several countries worldwide. The reason is that global warming has become a major problem in the world. As the global climate crisis continues, mankind is on a quest to save what’s left of its environment. As a result, there has been a massive adoption of solar power systems.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
The process of solar energy production involves some components that serve separate but connected functions. A solar energy system comprises solar panels, an inverter, solar batteries (depending on the setup), a charge controller, and electrical wiring. Solar energy generation begins from the solar panels. These boards are made of embedded photovoltaic cells which trap and absorb solar energy from the sun’s rays. Solar PV panels are installed on the roof, where they will have exposure to direct sunlight.
The solar panels produce electricity by using the electric field created between its negative and positive cell layers to convert solar energy to DC power. The energy generated from the panels goes through the inverter, a device responsible for converting DC electricity to AC electricity for the building the solar system is installed in. This is because the appliances in the home or office or wherever the panels are installed can’t use direct current, so the electricity needs to be converted by an inverter into a usable form.
This current is then supplied to the home via the electrical wiring. During peak sun hours, the solar panels produce excess electricity, which goes to the battery (if it’s a hybrid or off-grid system) or the power grid (grid-tied system). If it’s the case of the former, the current doesn’t go directly to the solar battery; it’s first regulated by the charge controller so that the battery gets a stable stream of low-voltage current.
The function of this device is incredibly important because, without it, the volatile and fluctuating high-voltage current from the panels can damage the battery while charging it.
When the sun sets, the panels will stop producing electricity, which is where the battery will come in – by discharging the stored energy to provide power for the building.
Pros of Solar Energy
The following are the benefits to gain when you harness solar energy for electricity generation;
Eco-friendly
Solar energy is clean or green energy and its generation has zero environmental impact. This energy source is considered a great way to reduce our carbon footprint in the environment. Unlike fossil fuels which emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Governments and private individuals are installing solar PV systems, large-scale solar farms, or solar plants to significantly reduce our carbon emissions into the environment while still satisfying our energy needs.
Cost-effective
Solar energy is very cost-effective. Admittedly, the upfront cost of purchase and installation for solar projects is on the high side. However, after installing the system, you’re spending next to nothing. There are no operational costs as it doesn’t run on fossil fuels, and its power generation ability will reduce or eliminate your electricity bills.
The money you’ll save from paying reduced utility bills or paying no bills at all will amount to thousands of dollars in the long run. This makes the solar PV system an investment that pays for itself after some years.
Renewable
Solar energy is sustainable energy because it’s from the sun, an infinite and unlimited source of energy. The energy derived from the sun is abundant and free. Even though the sun sets at dusk, it will be up in the sky the following day as it has been for millions of years. The source of juice for this system is the reason solar energy incurs low operating costs – no one pays for the sun.
Durability
Solar panel systems are very durable, which is one of its main selling points. The average lifespan of a solar panel is 20-25 years. Other components, such as the solar battery and inverter, have an average lifespan of 7-10 years. The prospect of paying reduced or no energy bills for over two decades is too tempting to resist.
Low-maintenance
Solar energy systems don’t require much maintenance. The panels just require surface cleaning twice a year, while the battery and inverter should be replaced after a decade. The maintenance is virtually stress-free and not something that will require too much attention.
Boosts the Value of Your Home
The installation of solar power systems boosts the value of your home on the property market and makes it sell much quicker because future buyers know that acquiring it will mean less or no utility bills.
Variety of Solar Products
There are solar heating systems, solar fence chargers, solar pool covers, solar lights/lamps, solar radios, etc. As solar technology improves, more solar products will be on the market.
Cons Of Solar Energy
Despite the several benefits of solar energy, there are some downsides too.
Weather-dependent
The solar panel system depends on direct sunlight to function optimally. This means that if the weather is cloudy, rainy, or dusk, there will be little or no sunlight, and the solar PV panels won’t function efficiently. It also means that if you use this system in temperate regions with fewer peak sun hours, you won’t get the best of this system.
High Upfront Cost
The initial cost of purchasing and installing solar PV systems is on the high side. This can be offset with solar rebates and tax credits though.
Not Compatible With Every Roof Type
Not every type of roof is suitable for solar installation. It works best with sloped roofs because the panels need to be tilted to get the most amount of sunlight available. So if your roof is flat, installing panels on your roof won’t be a wise course of action.
The Concept of Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy is sourced from the nucleus of uranium atoms. This energy is released through nuclear reactions from the nucleus to generate heat energy. Interestingly, this energy is considered more environmentally friendly than thermal energy generated from fossil fuels.
How Nuclear Energy Works
This energy is generated by a number of processes. They include nuclear fission (the division of uranium atoms), nuclear fusion (the union of two nuclei to form a nucleus), and nuclear decay (the release of nuclear energy through ionizing radiation). Nuclear energy production in nuclear power plants doesn’t emit greenhouse gases into the environment because they don’t burn fuel.
The process of nuclear power construction in a nuclear facility begins with the reaction of the nucleus. During their binding or splitting process, the extra energy released is via radiation or heat. This happens in a reactor vessel. Then water is introduced to this vessel and the reactions from the nuclei heat the water to three times the boiling point, but the water doesn’t boil because the pressurizer in the vessel prevents the liquid from boiling and vaporizing. The reason for this is that the vessel needs the water in liquid form to operate.
A coolant pump moves the heated water from the reactor vessel and channels it to a steam generator. There is less atmospheric pressure in the generator so the heat in the generator pipes easily creates steam. This steam is then converted by steam turbines to mechanical energy and then into electrical energy. That’s the summary of the production process in a single nuclear power plant.
Pros of Nuclear Energy
Reduces Carbon Emissions
Establishing nuclear plants for our energy needs will be good for the environment to an extent because while there may still be certain emissions, there will be no release of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. Nuclear energy is also carbon-free power.
Not Weather-dependent
Nuclear energy can be generated constantly as long as there’s uranium; it doesn’t depend on any weather conditions. So nuclear energy generation can occur round-the-clock for longer.
Less Expensive Than Perceived
A nuclear power plant operation doesn’t cost as much as people think. The process of energy production doesn’t require much uranium and no fuel is required to fire up the plant, so the overall running costs are low.
Cons of Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Waste Is Radioactive
Due to the nature of the waste from nuclear power plants, improper disposal of it can release radiation into the atmosphere, and it can be fatal to human populations. We recommend proper disposal several feet beneath the ground or recycling in the design or manufacture of defense equipment.
It also produces plutonium. This highly toxic element is as fatal as nuclear waste and releases radiation that, even on a small scale, can wreck human populations. We recommend the above-mentioned for governments building nuclear power plants.
The Energy Is Finite
Not every country has uranium; even those blessed with it can’t guarantee their stock won’t run out someday. The bottom line is that nuclear energy is not renewable.
Comparisons Between Solar And Nuclear Power
Though you may have glimpsed their similarities and differences already, we’ll highlight them here.
Similarities
Solar vs. nuclear power have one thing in common – the absence of greenhouse gas emissions in their production.
Differences
- Solar plants take less time to construct and set up than nuclear plants, and the production of solar energy is much quicker than nuclear energy.
- A solar plant costs much less than a nuclear facility because it involves fewer components. The latter costs roughly ten times more.
- When it comes to how much energy they can generate on an annual basis, nuclear power comes out on top because it doesn’t depend on the weather and can be generated 24/7. On the other hand, solar power can only be generated during the day, especially when there’s intense sunlight.