Ana Almerini

In short, yes, solar energy is a renewable resource! To be considered renewable energy, you need to be able to use the source of energy without depleting it.

For example, solar panels capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. But using that sunshine doesn’t diminish the amount of solar radiation the sun sends down to earth. The sun is just as powerful before the panels capture the sunlight as it is after it’s turned into electricity.

Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are a non-renewable energy source. As you use things like coal and natural gas, the amount that’s available decreases and won’t replenish itself for millions of years.

Let’s take a closer look at solar energy and how it works.

What is solar energy?

At its most basic, solar energy is energy produced by the sun. Solar panels are commonly used to capture solar energy that hits the earth’s surface and turn it into usable electricity. Solar energy is formed on the sun through nuclear fusion, a process through which an incredible amount of heat and energy is produced.

This energy is projected through space as electromagnetic radiation, hitting the earth as solar radiation. The amount of solar radiation that hits the earth varies by season and location, but about 173,000 terawatts of solar energy hit the earth continuously.

That is about 10,000 times more energy than the world consumes, and solar panels are perfect for capturing this abundant energy source.

Is solar power renewable?

Solar power is a renewable energy source. The process of turning sunlight into electricity doesn’t decrease the power of the sun. It remains just as powerful, no matter how much of its rays we use.

Not only is solar energy renewable, it’s also clean! Turning sunlight into electricity with solar panels generates no harmful greenhouse gas emissions. This makes solar a key player in increasing our sustainability.

It is true that the materials used to create solar panels require the mining of precious metals, which negatively impacts the surrounding environment. However, the adverse effects of solar panels generally end after the panel is manufactured.

With fossil fuels, not only do you have to mine and extract them, you then have to burn them, which causes an additional wave of harmful environmental impact.

Types of solar energy systems between photovoltaic and concentrated solar power

There are two main ways that solar energy systems work for electricity generation: solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar energy.

Solar PV

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are the most widely used form of solar power. They are the standard option for rooftop solar systems and most commercial installations.

Solar panels contain silicon photovoltaic cells that turn the sun’s rays into electricity. The photovoltaic (PV) solar cells within the panel act as semiconductors that convert sunlight into electricity.

Solar cells have negatively charged and positively charged layers. When photons from the sun hit the solar cells, electrons move from the negative layer to the positive layer, which generates electricity. The electricity produced is direct current, or DC, electricity, that flows into an inverter, which converts it into alternating current (AC) electricity that homes and businesses can use.

Solar thermal energy

Solar thermal energy uses the heat from the sun to perform a task. Solar water heaters, for example, rely on the sun to heat water within solar collectors to send hot water to your faucet!

On a larger scale, there is concentrated solar thermal power. In a concentrated solar power system, mirror-like structures reflect sunlight to a central receiver. The thermal energy then heats up water that generates steam to turn turbines that generate electrical energy.

Concentrated solar systems require a lot of space, and because of that, they are typically better suited for places with miles of open space and abundant sunshine, like the American West.

Concentrated solar power works differently. These panels act more like mirrors, gathering solar thermal energy from the sun and sending it to a central receiver. This thermal energy is then used to heat water that generates steam to turn turbines in a plant.

What are the benefits of solar energy?

There are many individual benefits of solar energy, such as lowering your electricity bill, reducing your carbon footprint, and increasing the value of your home. But it doesn’t stop there! Solar energy is a cheap renewable energy source that can provide collective benefits for the globe, not just for individuals.

If done right, solar panels can provide enough power generation to keep electrical grids running for almost 24 hours. A vital part of this equation is solar battery storage, which helped keep the California electrical grid on during a 2022 heatwave.

Stored power in homes can be connected to utility grids and accessed as a source of backup power, or it can even be used to decrease stress on the grid and prevent power outages in the first place! This is a key reason places like California have increased battery storage incentives; the grid needs stored power to operate cleanly and reliably.

What is the future of solar?

Luckily, more utilities and large-scale commercial power plants are switching to solar power. Installing more solar panels and other renewable sources, like geothermal energy, hydropower, or wind power, is necessary to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and get us closer to reducing the harmful impacts of climate change.

Adding solar panels can meet all of your energy needs, reduce your electric bill to $0, and adding solar batteries can keep your home resilient during storms or grid power outages.

Renewable resources will be the power sources of the future, and as solar technologies advance, they will become cheaper and more accessible. There is no better time to go solar and join the fight against climate change.

Our solar calculator will determine how many solar panels you need based on the amount of energy your home uses, your location, and local installation costs. Get in touch with a local installer today to save money and save the future.