Why Is Solar Power Better Than Hydropower

Construction of a reservoir dam can alter the ecosystem and.

Why is solar power better than hydropower. A recent report by the international renewable energy agency irena entitled renewable power generation costs in 2017 says that the global weighted average levelised cost of electricity lcoe from new projects commissioned in 2017 was us 0 05 kwh from hydropower compared with us 0 06 for onshore wind 0 07 for bioenergy and geothermal. The sun is a colossal source of energy. Although only 33 of the available hydroelectric potential has been developed today hydroelectricity prevents the emission of ghg corresponding to the burning of 4 4 million barrels of petroleum per day worldwide. After the sun sets solar power systems have no more energy to draw from.

Hydropower plants function solely at high speeds and require considerable modification of water resources. Wind is a more efficient power source than solar. This type of energy is everlasting. In fact one wind turbine can generate the same amount of electricity per kwh as about 48 704 solar panels.

Hydropower is the largest source of the renewable energy around the globe but wind energy has its limitations. Solar power generation works best when the sun is at its peak which generally happens during the middle of the day. In emitting less ghg than power plants driven by gas coal or oil hydroelectricity can help retard global warming. It is expensive to construct a hydropower power station.

The energy generated through hydropower relies on the water cycle which is driven by the sun making it a renewable power source making it a more reliable and affordable source than fossil. Hydropower is a more reliable source of energy than solar power because it has a steady supply of power while solar power is an intermittent energy source with periods of time when. More than 160 countries around the world are dependent on the hydropower whereas power generation from the wind is restricted to windy areas and countries. In terms of cost some countries might argue that utilizing hydropower energy is more cost efficient than using solar energy.

Hydropower represents a more stable and reliable means of generating electricity than solar power. Storms and clouds can also impact solar power production. Hydropower stations compete for a location with other uses of land like farming. Hydroelectric power is a domestic source of energy allowing each state to produce their own energy without being reliant on international fuel sources.

While at the same time other countries might also argue that solar panels are cheaper to build and generate a larger amount of electricity compared to that of hydroelectric producing dams. Wind powers have the low maintenance as compared to hydropower. Water flow and quality interferes with hydropower.