Solar Energy: Difference between revisions

Individual countries have the potential capacity to use sustainable energy, the disadvantage however is that sustainable energies are still more expensive than the conventional ways of generating energy – oil, gas, etc., despite recent increases in the price of electricity (in Germany). This is due to the high build costs of the technology, and despite the costs involved in, for example, decommissioning a coal power station and replacing it with a solar farm, the long term financial rewards and environmental benefits make it arguably a viable solution. The disposal of by-products is also cheaper and more eco-friendly than for example, radioactive waste (Hennicke, Peter: Erneuerbare Energien, München 2007)2.  

Another advantage of using sustainable energy is the independence it offers countries in terms of energy importations. If Germany produced enough sustainable energy for heating they would negate the need to import oil from Russia or Norway (http://www.agenda21-treffpunkt.de/archiv/09/daten/g2641.htm)3. This would avoid conflicts of feed stock and would enable them to save their own supplies. Essentially, widespread sustainable energy could reduce conflicts of resources and effectively make a contribution towards peace on earth.  

Also, with sophisticated technologies, sustainable energy could even aid the advancement of poorer countries. With working and reliable electricity, these parts of the planet could enjoy an improved economy, would have better ways of communication and could establish better school systems. So sustainable energy can also become an important part of poverty reduction. It is also important to mention that feed stock is unequally distributed but not in the same way that fossil fuels are (Hennicke, Peter: Erneuerbare Energien, München 2007)4.

Typically, sustainable energy is based on local energy sources, meaning that it plays a part in contributing to the regional value. This could not only create more jobs, but also allow for more future economic planning. So as well as being positive regionally, good energy technologies could also be positive for the export market (Hennicke, Peter: Erneuerbare Energien, München 2007).5