Solar Power Plants vs. Traditional Energy Sources | KPI Green Energy
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Solar Power Plants vs. Traditional Energy Sources

On one hand, we are witnessing the increase in the adoption of Solar power Plants and wind power stations equipped with photovoltaic panels, on the other hand, we are noticing rapidly depleting traditional energy sources. Where renewable energy sources are blessings of the environment, traditional energy sources on which we have been reliant for years are polluting the environment.

Looming scarcity of energy sources and environmental concerns are making reliance on fossil fuels risky in the long run. This highlights the urgent need to transition towards renewable energy solutions for a more sustainable future.

But this would make you muddled for making a choice, right?

Let’s check out some facts then.

It is estimated that the petroleum reserve will end up by the next few decades in India. Ranking third in energy consumption and with increasing demands, it has become imperative for industries to adopt non-renewable energy sources that are the definite answer to both the problems – pollution and limited availability of fossil fuels.

But the usage of renewable energy comes with many doubts and one such prevailing doubt is- whether solar power plants can be a better option than traditional energy sources.

Let’s take a look at the close comparison of both the sources:

1. Low-levelized cost of electricity (LCOE)

  • Solar Power Plants: On the other hand, installing solar power plants is cheap. Reports highlight the declining cost of electricity generation from renewable sources which makes them highly competitive. There is no cost-bearing construction material involved. Initial investment in setting up solar power plants, including operations and maintenance, is also known to be low compared to the traditional energy source.
    Companies like KPI Green Energy Limited can help install solar power plants to generate solar energy for industries. Creatively installing solar panels can lead to efficient use of land resources, further contributing to the low cost of energy production.
  • Traditional Energy Sources: Traditional energy sources based on power plants are expensive. The price of the construction material to set up these power plants is highly variable and depends on the material availability and location of the construction site. Construction of such plants on a remote site can increase the overall expenses with the addition of the transportation cost of this material.
  • Verdict: Solar power wins hands down when it comes to the low-levelized cost of generating electricity.

2. Environmental impact

  • Solar Power Plants: Solar power plants are free from any such emissions and after-effects. Unlike conventional energy sources, solar energy releases no GHG gases or any other kinds of pollutants. The question of waste management arises only with managing and disposing the solar cells which can be easily streamlined. Solar energy plants can be a great option to generate solar power for industrial use.
  • Traditional Energy Sources: Conventional energy sources give out GHG gases which have become a global concern. Using traditional energy sources leads to water pollution, air pollution, and soil pollution. The handling of different kinds of emissions requires a separate infrastructure.
  • Verdict: Solar power is a clear winner when it comes to environmental impact.

3. High Efficiency and reliability

  • Solar Power Plants: The answer to such uncertainties can be solar energy which is the most plentiful renewable energy. India has already achieved a milestone with installations that can generate more than 75GW of solar capacity. Solar power promotes energy independence. In the future, we can look up to solar power for industrial energy savings. It will save us from the extravagant expenditure on the rising prices of depleting fossil fuels in the future.
  • Traditional Energy Sources: Traditional energy sources are continuously generating pollution. Their rate of consumption is greater than their rate of formation. The global energy demand is rising. In 2010, we witnessed a 5.6% rise in energy consumption. The chances of satisfying the future energy demand seem bleak with conventional energy sources.
  • Verdict: Solar power outshines the competition with its unbeatable efficiency and reliability.

4. Easy scalability

  • Solar Power Plants: Whereas, solar power plants benefit in terms of scalability and accessibility. Several innovations incorporated in solar panels have helped harness solar energy even in unconventional locations. Installation of solar panels is possible from large solar farms to rooftops. Moreover, the advancements in photovoltaic cells can enhance the power generation capacity of solar power plants without physical expansion.
  • Traditional Energy Sources: Scaling the infrastructure of traditional energy sources would invite complexities and heavy costs. These efforts could be limited by different geopolitical reasons and limitations on resources.
  • Verdict: Solar power is a clear winner with the capacity to scale from lighting up a single house to energizing the whole city.

5. Promising future

  • Solar Power Plants: We can look up to solar energy to satiate the energy needs in the future owing to the high sun insolation in India. The declining renewable energy cost and increasing awareness regarding climate change is set to boost the solar energy sector in the future. Solar PV installations have the potential to grow by six times by the end of the next decade.
    Innovations will pave the way to the future of solar energy. We have technologies like passivated emitters and real cell/contact (PERC) technology that boost the performance of solar cells. A higher efficiency will reduce the number of modules and land used for solar panel installation.
    Solar energy can become the primary energy source in the future. It would be a great idea to install an industrial solar power plant and gain from the said benefits in the future.
  • Traditional Energy Sources: Conventional energy sources can be correlated with a rise in price, supply uncertainty, and adverse impacts on the environment. The high cost and limited supply of these traditional energy sources act as deterrents to their use in the future. India is on the path of energy 'self-sufficiency’ which cannot be achieved with the depletion of non-renewable sources.
  • Verdict: Let’s not forget the future of renewable energy is very bright. And it makes solar power win with high chances of advancements.

Conclusion

Solar energy offers many benefits over traditional sources of energy in terms of cost, environmental impact, efficiency, and scalability. Solar energy also plays a major role in maintaining the energy security of any country.

An industrial solar power plant is the one solution to the staggering cost of conventional energy sources. Solar power plants can be installed to generate solar energy which is clean, self-sufficient, low maintenance, safe, renewable, cost-effective, and innovative. Industries can own a solar power plant to lower their energy bill. This easy-to-install and low-maintenance solution can reduce their carbon footprint as well. Solar power plants come with multifaceted benefits.

Many companies, like KPI Green Energy Limited, a solar EPC company, can help industries set up their solar power plants. They are ready to accommodate the energy needs of any size of industry by supplying power from their solar power plants under IPP (Independent Power Producers). Industries can connect with them to install solar power plants to gain energy independence and a sustainable power supply infrastructure under CPP.

FAQS

Ans: Solar power reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowers electricity bills, requires low maintenance, and can lead to energy independence.

Ans: While initial setup costs for solar can be higher, long-term savings, government incentives, and decreasing solar technology prices make it increasingly cost-effective.

Ans: Traditional energy sources often contribute to air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change due to carbon emissions.