Solar energy is renewable because the sun will continue to produce energy for billions of years. However, solar panels are not renewable as they are made of materials that we will eventually run out of. So, while solar energy is renewable, the technology we use to harness it is not.
Solar panels can last a long time if they are correctly maintained. And, even though they degrade over time and lose their ability to generate power, solar panels can be recycled, making them a very environmentally friendly option.
This article will discuss the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources and why solar power is a renewable resource.
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy?
A renewable energy source is a power source that can be replenished or replaced in a relatively short period.
For example, solar energy is renewable because the sun will continue to produce energy for billions of years.
Similarly, wind energy is renewable because the wind will continue to blow as long as there is a sun to power it.
Non-renewable energy sources, on the other hand, are power sources that will eventually run out. For example, fossil fuels such as coal and oil are non-renewable as they take millions of years to form, and we are using them up much faster than they can be replaced.
Similarly, nuclear energy is non-renewable because the uranium used to power reactors is a limited resource.
Is solar energy “green”, “clean” or “renewable energy”?
You may have heard the terms “green energy”, “clean energy” and “renewable energy” used interchangeably, but there are differences between them.
- Renewable energy: can be replenished or replaced in a relatively short period
- Green energy: has minimal impact on the environment.
- Clean energy: produces no emissions or pollution.
Solar power is an example of renewable, green, and clean energy because it can be replenished (the sun will continue to produce energy for billions of years). It has minimal impact on the environment and produces very little emissions or pollution.
