Solar Energy Vs. Clean Coal
Solar energy can be harnessed from the sun and converted into other forms of energy such as heat and electricity. Clean coal technology is a new energy generation process that sharply reduces air emissions and other pollutants from coal-burning power plants, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Other People Are Reading
-
Availability
-
The sun is abundantly available across the earth. Solar panels can be set up even in remote areas and deserts to generate electricity. Coal is a fossil fuel. Even though it is abundantly available across the earth, this resource is gradually diminishing.
Renewable vs. Non-renewable
-
Solar energy is a renewable resource. The sun is an inexhaustible source of energy. In comparison, coal is a non-renewable resource because coal was formed by geological activity over millions of years.
-
Cost
-
Clean coal technology is expensive as it entails preprocessing and handling of coal to reduce emissions like sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide. Solar energy production entails initial set-up cost. According to Jeff Sigel in Green Chip Stocks, a 275MW solar power plant costs about $1.8B. A 275MW clean coal plant costs about $2.5B.
Pollution
-
Solar energy is an eco-friendly alternative and produces no greenhouse gases while generating electricity. Clean coal emits sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide in low quantities during the production of electricity
Future
-
Clean coal technology will reduce greenhouse gases in existing coal-burning power plants. However, setting up new power plants using clean coal technology may be costlier than setting up new power plants using solar energy.
-
