Solar Energy vs. Nuclear Energy

As our world is still struggling into the energy crisis, most people prefer nuclear energy as a main source of energy obviously because it is considered as viable and environmentally friendly alternative; and why is that? It’s because nuclear power can provide up to 20% of energy to billions of people around the world.

However several questions still remain: Is the nuclear energy considered to be safe and clean? Is the Nuclear energy sustainable? What about Solar energy? Is Solar Energy also considered to be sustainable?

Is the Nuclear energy sustainable?

Nuclear energy, which are derived from the fissions of uranium, plutonium or thorium; it gives an infinite amount of energy, therefore it is considered to be sustainable because we have tons of uranium reserves on earth and it will last long for thousands of years. However these assumptions can be dropped since its consumption is slowly increasing year after year. Also Nuclear energy is a non-renewable source of energy.

 

Is Nuclear Energy clean?

In terms of carbon dioxide emission, nuclear energy is considered quite clean; they don’t emit greenhouse gases directly. However, the nuclear fuel cycle (which is responsible for the burning process) produces them indirectly, but dramatically it reduces emissions compared to burning fossil fuels.

Is the Solar energy sustainable?

Like Nuclear Energy, Solar Energy is also another infinite source of energy. However, compared to Nuclear energy, Solar energy does not contain any elements, because its source of energy is coming from the sun itself. Solar panels are needed in order to absorb solar radiation and directly converting it into current electricity this method is called photovoltaic. In contrast to the Nuclear energy, Solar energy is a renewable source of energy.

Is Solar Energy clean?

Since solar energy does not contain any elements (except to the materials used to absorb the solar radiation) it is considered clean and environmentally friendly alternative. However, the consumption of solar energy is just limited due to the fact that it cannot provide a greater amount of electricity for billions of people at once, and the materials needed to make the solar panels are very expensive.

Differences between Solar and Nuclear powers

Nuclear:

• Transition is easy to a centralized grid system which provides a good portion of electricity.
• It does not emit carbon dioxide gases.
• There are tons of resources available for nuclear power.
• In terms of funds Nuclear energy is cheaper than Solar energy.
• Non-Renewable source of energy.

Solar:

• It is a renewable source of energy.
• Eco friendly and does not emit any gases.
• Available to anyone.
• Efficiency and central generation abilities can be improved with the help of several emerging technologies.

In terms of safety, Nuclear power is considered a high risk to all because of the chemical it contains. It’s been told that nuclear power can destroy the earth because of its high radiation. Solar power on the other hand is very different; it does not contain any chemicals that could cause thermal radiation. It’s eco friendly and free from risks.

If somehow if we choose solar energy as our primary source of energy, perhaps earth will most look like this: