How long will it take solar energy to work on earth?
Question:
Answer:
Solar power works-it is used in many places. The question is one of economics, which underlies nearly every human activity, but is one of the least studied fields. It is expensive, and energy-intensive, to make solar-powered electrical panels-which in any case only work well inbright sunlight. Solar power is most useful for heating water in individual houses, but again, it isnt economically competitive with coal, oil, and natural gas. In order for solar power to be widely used, a number of things would have to happen. 1) development of much better electrical storage (batteries, heat sinks, capacitors, etc) 2) either solar power generators would have to get much more efficient or coal, gas, and oil much much more expensive or 3) to concern with greenhouse gases and pollution rise to such a level that people would be willing to pay 5-10 times more for electrical power.
8 minutes!
(that's the time sun light needs to arrive on earth)
And solar energy is working! Here in Switzerland, even some fuel station's roofs are equipped with solar panels. Many newly-built houses have got solar collectors to pre-heat water - a lot is happening!
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