Why are fossil fuels more widely used than solar energy and should we replace fossil fuels with renewable energy?
That’s a good question. There are many factors that affect the use of different energy sources, such as availability, cost, environmental impact, and public health.
Some possible reasons why fossil fuels are more widely used than solar energy are:
- Fossil fuels are convenient and have a well-established infrastructure for extraction, transportation, and distribution1.
- Fossil fuels have a higher energy density than solar energy, meaning they can produce more energy per unit of mass or volume.
- Fossil fuels are more reliable and consistent than solar energy, which depends on weather conditions and daylight hours1.
However, there are also many drawbacks and risks associated with fossil fuels, such as:
- Fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and climate change.
- Fossil fuels cause air and water pollution that harms human health and wildlife3.
- Fossil fuels are non-renewable and will eventually run out sometime in the coming years.
On the other hand, solar energy and other renewable energy sources have many benefits, such as:
- Solar energy is abundant and inexhaustible, as it comes from the sun.
- Solar energy is clean and does not produce harmful emissions or waste.
- Solar energy can reduce dependence on foreign oil and increase energy security.
Therefore, it may be wise to replace fossil fuels with different renewable energy in the long term, not only solar energy, as it can help mitigate the negative effects of fossil fuels on the environment and society.
While fossil fuels will run out in 50 years, renewable energy is here and will never run out. But fossil fuels are very easy to store, which unfortunately cannot be said of renewable energy sources. Nowadays there are some alternative energy storage technologies, but they are still in their infancy. Thus, solar energy is made financially viable by misguiding the people by leaving out storage battery cost; handicapping it with subsidies and concessions that are front loaded by the government, and forcing it on the industry and hapless discoms through state policy. Fossil fuels are much cheaper. The sun's energy will not run out for billions of years.The sun provides more than enough energy to meet the whole world's energy needs, and unlike fossil fuels, it won't run out anytime soon. As a renewable energy source, the only limitation of solar power is our ability to turn it into electricity efficiently and cost-effectively.The sun provides more than enough energy to meet the whole world's energy needs, and unlike fossil fuels, it won't run out anytime soon. As a renewable energy source, the only limitation of solar power is our ability to turn it into electricity efficiently and cost-effectively.Methods of generating electricity that don't rely on fossil fuels, like nuclear and hydroelectric generation, are also important parts of the system in many areas. However, fossil fuels are still the backbone of the electricity system, generating 64% of today's global supply. Despite recent reductions in the cost of solar panel technology, the upfront cost of installation remains high, which can be a barrier to adoption for many households and businesses. Renewable energy is certainly more sustainable than fossil fuels, as there is a finite amount of fossil fuels in the earth's crust. Fossil fuels are made from ancient biological matter that has been contained in a pressurized environment for hundreds of thousands of years. This is not a process we can recreate quickly. Using more renewable energy can lower the prices of and demand for natural gas and coal by increasing competition and diversifying our energy supplies. And an increased reliance on renewable energy can help protect consumers when fossil fuel prices spike. In it renewable energy surpasses fossil fuels for electricity generation shortly after 2030. Renewable energy then dominates electricity generation by the 2050s, but even with an outlook that stretches to the end of the century, electricity doesn't pass 60% of “final energy” use.Renewable energy can be solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, or biomass. On the other hand, fossil fuels can be natural gas, coal, and oil. Fossil fuels also emit CO2 when burned, contributing to greenhouse gasses and ultimately climate change. This is where lines can blur between energy sources.
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