A Reliable Source Of Coal Energy

Coal is an important source of energy. Its ability to generate energy inexpensively is what makes it one of the first choices of fuel for power plants. Coal is capable of forming some of the most raw materials for cement and steel. It is also used in other industries, such as: pharma, paper, aluminum, chemical, and transportation. Although coal has been cost effective, there are consequences. Coal is the largest source of Carbon Emissions, which take place during coal combustion. There are many advantages of coal. Coal is an abundant resource. It is located on every continent, with its largest reserves being in the United States, Russia, India, and China. It is a continuous, reliable source of power. Coal based energy can be generated 24/7,

With an estimated 173,000 terawatts of solar energy continuously hitting Earth's surface, there is more than enough energy to meet the world's current consumption levels of 15 terawatts per year. The trick, though, is collecting it.” ("Solar Power 101: Advantages & Disadvantages.") Solar energy can be collected solar thermally or photovoltaic solar cells. Both methods require large amounts of sunlight. Solar radiations vary, which can make solar energy an unreliable source of energy. Latitude, times of day, seasons, and atmospheric conditions all compromise solar radiations. Seasons affect the angle of the sun, while atmospheric conditions such as clouds, pollution, and water vapor tend to scatter light. This is why solar potential is greatest in dry areas in the mid latitudes of the

So why are we not running on solar panels everywhere? Well, there are major disadvantages that have kept solar energy from becoming a major supply of energy. Solar panels cannot collect solar energy at night. The amount they collect during the day varies based on the season and time of day. “Solar panels aren't very good at converting sunlight to electricity - most solar panels have at best a 20% efficiency rate. And their costs are high. For a homeowner wishing to install solar panels on their house in the U.S, the average cost of a typical system is around $20,000. For power plants, solar photovoltaic costs 11 cents per kilowatt hour. Compare this to a conventional coal plant (9 cents per kilowatt hour) and natural gas (6 cents per kilowatt hour).” As prices do continue to fall, solar energy is increasingly becoming an economical energy choice for homeowners and businesses in America. Still, the biggest obstacle to affordable solar energy remains in costs such as permitting, zoning and hooking a solar system up to the power