Rebecca Gurung
The Oxford dictionary defines the term 'sustainability' as "the property of being environmentally sustainable, the degree to which a process or enterprise is able to be maintained or continued while avoiding the long-term depletion of natural resources.”The definition of the term sustainability goes indeed well with the phrase 'solar energy for the future.'
Sun is our most reliable source of renewable energy accounted for as a universal fact. There are different forms or sources of renewable energy such as geothermal energy, wind energy, biomass energy, tidal power, hydro power and solar energy etc. Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource on earth. It is the acquisition of the sun's energy harvested with several technologies. It is accounted that in 14 and a half seconds, the sun provides as much energy to the earth as humanity uses in a single day. From the earliest histories, mankind has been able to live in a close knitted habitat which provided him energy in a sustainable manner, this pattern of adaptation must be learned by our generation today, it must begin in our homes and our communities.
The energy from the sun can be extracted in so many different forms to perform different tasks. The ability to stop the further depletion of the earth's non-renewable resources lies in our hands alone.
Solar energy is the capturing of sunlight to create photovoltaic power (PV) or concentrated solar power (CSP) for solar heating. Likewise we can use it for solar transportation, solar tech, solar lighting for our homes, solar electricity, solar water heating, solar ventilation such a solar attic fans which can reduce the burden of electricity and cool our homes in a much cost-efficient manner, portable solar for gadgets which are few among many other uses of sun's energy. At homes we can add indoor and outdoor solar lighting, it requires no complicated setup as the lights are wireless and can harness sunlight during the day to circumvent electricity at night.
Solar energy among other renewable sources of energy is a promising and freely available energy source for managing long term issues in energy crisis. The demands of energy is developing steadily all over the world because of the high demands of energy while other major energy sources, fossil fuel, is limited and other sources are expensive. The solar industry would definitely be a best option for future energy demand since it is superior in terms of availability, cost effectiveness, accessibility, capacity and efficiency compared to other renewable energy sources. Bernie Sanders said, "If we are serious about moving toward energy independence in a cost-effective way, we should invest in solar energy. If we are serious about cutting air and water pollution and reducing greenhouse emissions, we should invest in solar energy. "
Solar energy has become a tool to develop economic status of developing countries and to sustain the lives of many underprivileged people. Solar energy for the future is definitely suitable for an ideal environment we all wish to achieve in the near future. One major reason is also the possibility to create good paying clean energy jobs for the masses. As the world moves away from fossil fuels and seek renewable sources for everyday electronics, there is no doubt that solar energy will continue to be adopted by the masses for any product that can be exposed to sunlight.
It is however, a definitive truth, that it is going to be a challenge as we try to replace traditional sources of energy completely, but, by adding renewable energy and gradually increasing it's contribution, we can expect to see a future that is powered by green energy. "We can all make a difference, the thing is, you have to decide what kind of difference you need to make today for the future of tomorrow."
Rebecca Gurung is a 25-year-old Post Graduate student from Kohima. She emerged as the winner of online Essay Competition, 'Solar Energy for the Future' organized by FPA India, Nagaland Branch and sponsored by SELCO Foundation.
