What are Benefits of Solar Energy when compared to Fossil Fuels? Advantages, Efficiency, Cost, Statistics, Alternative energy source, How its better

1. 12 Reasons Solar is Beating Fossil Fuels
As the world plummets into an environmental crisis due to pollution and global warming,
sustainable living is the necessity of the hour. It is no more a choice to live sustainable because
the survival of our fragile planet and all its life forms is at stake. Our choices affect our future.
It is no more about debating whether renewable energy such as solar power is better than fossil
fuels or vice-versa. The damage already caused by human beings as a species is irreparable and
if we continue to live the way we do, the current generation has a very good chance of
witnessing the end of the world as we know it. All we can do at the moment is prolong the
ultimate end by acting immediately.
A Brief about Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels such as petroleum, diesel, kerosene, coal, and natural gas have been around since
time immemorial and continue to be the predominant source of power generation throughout the
world. They are produced naturally due to the decay and decomposition of organic matter over
millennia. Though Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources and have been used extensively
since the industrial revolution began in the 1800’s, its use has been slowly decreasing as people
are becoming more environmentally aware.
Fossil fuels continue to power a major part of our daily lives. They do however emit a massive
amount of carbon and greenhouse gases, which have caused a massive hole in the ozone layer.
This has also drastically increased the temperature levels around the world, causing global
warming. It has also led to a rise in respiratory diseases, bronchitis, asthma, and so on which has
led to a number premature deaths throughout the world.
The good news is that the use of fossil fuel usage is slowly decreasing while solar energy use has
been increasing.

2. A Brief about Solar Energy
Sunlight is essential to life and is a source of free and abundant energy. Solar energy is generated
by converting the sun’s energy into electricity. Harvesting solar power would allow us to power
our planet for billions of years to come without destroying nature and causing any sort of
hazards. Solar powered energy will be freely available until the death of the sun.
Due to corporate lobbying and the money involved in the greedy oil industry, the struggle to do
away with energy generated through fossil fuels continues a long drawn battle.
Renewable energy is freely available in nature and does not cause environmental damage. In
addition to being eco-friendly, renewable sources of energy are available everywhere and are
practically free.
Let us take a closer look at the benefits of Solar Energy when compared to Fossil Fuels:
Advantages of Solar Energy over Fossil Fuels – A Comparison
 Saves Environment/Wildlife: Solar Energy is highly-sustainable and does not cause
any damage or destruction to our planet and its life forms. The same cannot be said
about fossil fuels.
 More Accessible: Lobbyists argue that fossil fuels are easily available and accessible.
However, Solar Energy is way more accessible if you have the right devices to harness
it.
 Examples: Sweden, Germany, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Scotland, Uruguay, and
Denmark are just a few countries that primarily use renewable energy to power their
country.
 Excuses: If a chilly northern European country such as Germany can produce 78% of
their daily electricity using renewable energy sources, the excuses to convert energy
generation from fossil fuels to renewable do not hold strong.
 Coal is obtained by mining forests, which are the lungs of our planet. Solar energy does
not involve any deforestation.
 Greenhouse Gases: Fossil Fuels are easily combustible and produce a great amount of
energy. However, carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases are released in large quantities
into the atmosphere when they’re combustive. In contrast, Solar Energy is 100% clean.
 Cost: While energy obtained from fossil fuels are expensive due to labor costs and
taxation, solar energy is practically free since the sun has not yet been taxed.
 No Job Reduction: Lobbyists claim that a shift from fossil driven energy to renewable
energy would reduce the number of job opportunities. This cannot be further from the
truth. The US has created 51,000 jobs in the solar energy field from 2015 to 2016 alone
and the number is increasing due to its demand.
 Low Maintenance: Solar energy requires very low maintenance in comparison to oil and
gas pipelines. In fact, leakages in pipes and on ships have caused massive oil spills
across the globe, killing marine life and harming the environment due to its toxicity.
 Self Sufficiency: Solar energy encourages self-sufficiency while dependency on fossil
fuels makes a person almost fully dependent on the government and corporate. It also
makes countries self-sufficient by limiting petroleum imports.
 Immune from Cost Fluctuation: Solar energy is always available and fluctuation in
market prices will not affect its cost.

3. Solar Energy vs Fossil Fuels Cost and Statistics
The lowest per kilowatt hour cost of power generated from fossil fuels ranges from $0.03 to
$0.06. In contrast, the power generated from solar energy is mere $0.029/kWh. The discussion
whether solar is cheaper is out of the question. Scientists around the world are working round the
clock to further lower the prices of solar panels. The day is not far when solar energy would be
generating 50% of world’s power requirements.
It is time to leave fossil fuels behind and ring in the Eco-friendly new by converting to clean
solar energy. Go clean, go green, and go solar.