Summary Reader Response (Draft 4)

In the article, “What are solar light panels” from The Economic Times, Team ProductLine (2019) discussed that solar light panels are utilised for residential and commercial lighting. Photovoltaic (PV) modules, encompassing high-quality crystalline silicon solar cells, are used to create solar light panels. With these PV cells, light energy from the sun can be transformed into electrical energy to be utilised or stored. In terms of features, solar light panels are extremely durable and will only degrade gradually. According to the article, the adequacy of these panels decreases by just 2% or less after one full year (Team ProductLine, 2019, p. 1). Moreover, not only do solar panels reduce the dependability on conventional power sources and fossil fuels, but they also do not produce deleterious greenhouse gases. PV cells come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can range in length from a few millimetres to several inches. These cells are combined to create PV modules that can be up to a “few feet wide and several feet long” as stated in the article (Team ProductLine, 2019, p. 1). The article states there are various applications of solar light panels which can be fixed into homes (Team ProductLine, 2019, p. 2). In Singapore, solar light panels can help to reduce the cost of electricity, lessen the harm that burning fossil fuels causes to the environment, and promote renewable sources of energy to increase energy security.

Installation of solar light panels will help reduce the cost of electricity. A traditional grid-tied lighting system will typically cost about 20% more upfront than a solar-powered system (Shickadance, n.d.). Over the course of a person’s solar light panel system, the typical home can save between $10,000 and $30,000 (Walker, 2022). For example, if a person resides in Australia, they will be pleased to learn that the majority of homeowners have the ability to save at least $20,000 on energy costs over time which is a sizeable sum of money (Folks, 2022). Solar energy is free once the panels have been installed. Additionally, the altered monthly bills will be eliminated (“Switch to solar”, 2021). This means that the cost of electricity generated from solar panels is significantly lower than traditional sources of electricity. This can help to reduce the cost of electricity for businesses and households, which can lead to economic benefits in Singapore.

Using solar light panels can lessen the harm that burning fossil fuels causes to the environment. A clean and regenerative energy source is solar energy. The use of solar energy systems and power plants does not result in the production of greenhouse gases or air pollution (“Solar energy and the environment”, 2022, para. 1). Solar light panels are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly substitute for using fossil fuels like coal or natural gas to generate electricity. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere as a result of the burning of fossil fuels can be reduced by using solar panels (Myers, 2022). Since solar street lighting does not need a lot of power, it can run off much smaller panels. Additionally, since solar panels can be incorporated into the lighting system, they offer a higher level of functionality and flexibility (Zafar, 2022). As a company, solar is a much more practical solution. Singapore can lessen its reliance on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas by using solar panels to produce electricity. This may contribute to a decrease in carbon emissions and reduce pollution, which may benefit the environment.

The use of solar light panels are to promote renewable sources of energy to increase energy security. Solar panels' power output varies daily and throughout the seasons because they depend on sunlight to produce electricity. Due to the fact that rainy days would result in less electricity being available, historically it had been difficult to break one's connection to the grid using only solar panels. By allowing homeowners to store solar energy for later use, batteries make energy independence possible (Downing, n.d.). Hence, there is a good possibility to achieve energy independence for our homes by producing and storing our own energy (Zagame, 2022). Singapore can improve its energy security by reducing its reliance on conventional energy sources. As a result, the economy may be less negatively affected by changes in energy prices and supply disruptions.

In spite of the advantages of the use of solar light panels, there are some disadvantages to using solar light panels as they are sunlight-dependent and would cause space constraints depending on the country. The performance of solar technologies can be impacted by variations in the amount of sunlight available as a result of weather factors like cloudy or wet days. Energy is only produced when the sun is shining, which is one of the biggest issues with solar energy technology (Johnston, 2022). Solar panels can also have an impact on the environment during production and disposal, despite the fact that they are typically viewed as less harmful than energy sources based on fossil fuels (“Solar energy and the environment”, 2022). Another key obstacle is space. The article stated that since large solar farms cannot be built due to a lack of space, harnessing sunlight remains difficult (Tan, 2022). Singapore does not have much room for new areas where large solar arrays could be constructed. Here, a large portion of the land is taken up by structures, roads, and protected green areas (Speed, 2021).

In conclusion, solar light panels not only lessen the harm that burning fossil fuels causes to the environment but also provide a steady supply of renewable energy that can run almost any appliance or device. Future solar light models in Singapore will also be less expensive to manufacture than current concepts in order to outperform current solar cells. Solar energy is also very much a part of the present and will play a big role in the future. Solar lighting will continue to be used until the last sunbeam. As technology develops, new applications may be created.

Reference:

Downing, L. (n.d.). Can Batteries Make My Home Energy Independent? Panasonic. https://na.panasonic.com/us/green-living/can-batteries-make-my-home-energy-independent

Switch to solar for energy independence.  (2021, December 7).  Electrical Power Review. https://www.eprmagazine.com/guest-column/switch-to-solar-for-energy-independence/

Folks, R. (2022, October 3). Do Solar Panels Save Money? E-green electrical. https://e-greenelectrical.com.au/do-solar-panels-save-money/

Johnston, M. (2022, August 5). Solar Energy: Benefits and Drawbacks. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/053015/pros-and-cons-solar-energy.asp#:~:text=The%20cons%20are%20that%20it,solar%20technologies%20require%20rare%20materials

Myers, J. (2022, December 9). Solar panels and their effect on the environment. Environmental Protection. https://eponline.com/articles/2022/12/09/solar-panels-and-their-effect.aspx

Shikadance, S. (n.d.). Solar light economics: making money from the sun. Greenshine. https://www.streetlights-solar.com/solar-light-economics-making-saving-money.html

Speed, P. A. (2021, February 21). Commentary: Why hasn’t solar energy in Singapore taken off in a big way after so long? Channel News Asia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/solar-energy-singapore-panels-cloudy-unpredictable-electricity-18829

Tan, A. (2022, February 7). Singapore to tap more green energy with JTC's solar push. JTC. https://www.jtc.gov.sg/about-jtc/news-and-stories/feature-stories/singapore-to-tap-more-green-energy-with-jtc-solar-push

Team ProductLine. (2019, May 7). What are solar light panels and how do they work. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/productline/power-generation/what-are-solar-light-panels-and how-do-they-work/articleshow/69130408.cms?from=mdr

U.S Energy Informative Administration. (2022, February 25). Solar energy and the environment. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/solar-energy-and-the-environment.php#:~:text=Solar%20energy%20technologies%20and%20power,larger%20effects%20on%20the%20environment.

Walker, E. (2022, November 18). Are solar panels worth it in 2023? EnergySage. https://news.energysage.com/are-solar-panels-worth-it/

Zafar, S. (2022, August 10). The Bright Future of Solar Lighting. BioEnergy Consult. https://www.bioenergyconsult.com/future-of-solar-lights/

Zagame, K. (2022, April 13). Can You Achieve Energy Independence with Solar? Here’s What To Know. EcoWatch. https://www.ecowatch.com/energy-independence-solar.html