Solar Energy Vs. Nuclear

Solar and nuclear power are both ways of generating electricity.

With oil becoming less of a long term solution for energy, more renewable sources of energy are being sought. There is, however, no single source without its disadvantages. Two forms of renewable energy are nuclear and solar.

Identification

Solar power is generated by the sun's rays. Through the use of photovoltaic (PV) cells, sunlight is transformed into low voltage electricity. An inverter can be used to transform the electricity into a form that is suitable for a grid. Nuclear power is generated through fission technology. Uranium rods heat water and cause steam, which turns a turbine connected to a generator, thus producing electricity,

Benefits

Nuclear power is clean burning and does not contribute to greenhouse gases. This form of energy is also cost-effective, as a small amount of uranium can produce large quantities of energy. Solar energy is free to produce once the panels have been installed, and doesn't create any waste or hazardous bi-product.

Considerations

Nuclear power does not produce much waste, but what little waste there is can be harmful and it must be stored in a secure facility. The cost of nuclear power comes in the form of safety. Nuclear plants must be well protected against both factory malfunctions and terrorists attacks. Solar energy can obviously only be produced during the day. In addition, solar power stations are expensive to build.

References

• NSW: Solar Power
• Energy Resources: Nuclear Power
• Energy Resources: Solar Power