2h. Solar
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is radiant energy from the sun. It’s harnessed with photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation and transform it into electricity.
Advantages of Solar Energy
- -Solar energy is renewable and doesn’t release emissions into the air.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
- -Solar panels can be expensive to install and are not an efficient source of energy.
- -On average solar panels in North Dakota only produce 15% of their potential electricity.
- -Solar panels only produce electricity on sunny days and need to be cleared of snow in winter months.
- -Solar electricity is not available as a generation source during evening and morning peak demand hours when the sun is not up.