Information Transfer : (5 marks)A2. Read the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy in the given table and write a paragraph on it : (alternative to A1)[Table with two columns — Advantages and Disadvantages. Advantages : 1. a renewable source o…

Solar Energy — Its Advantages and Disadvantages

Solar energy is one of the most promising sources of power for the future, but it has its own strengths and weaknesses. Its greatest advantage is that it is a renewable source of energy : the sun will not run out, and sunlight is free. Once panels are installed, they reduce electricity bills and need very little care, so the maintenance cost is low. The rapid technological development in this field is bringing better and cheaper panels every year.

The disadvantages, however, are real. The cost of developing a solar plant is high, and its output depends on the weather — on cloudy days and in the rainy season it produces much less. A solar farm also needs a lot of space, which is difficult to find in crowded cities. Finally, storing solar energy for use at night is expensive, because good batteries cost a great deal.

Solar energy is therefore a clean and renewable resource, but it can replace coal and oil only when the cost of panels and storage comes down and the government supports its development.