Question

How is Solar energy better than Thermal power?

Answer 1

Hint: Solar power is the conversion of solar energy into thermal or electrical energy. Thermal energy is the internal energy stored in a system that is in thermodynamic equilibrium due to its temperature. So, now focus on this definition and try to relate it with a question.

Complete answer:
Because of the following reasons, solar energy is preferable to thermal energy.
- Solar energy is a renewable energy source because it can be used to generate electricity as long as the Sun does. Because coal is needed to generate electricity, thermal power is a non-renewable energy source.
- Solar energy is a non-polluting and clean source of energy that can be used instead of fossil fuels. It does not harm the environment by emitting toxic gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, or Sulphur oxide. Thermal power plants emit a lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere because they use coal to generate energy.
- Solar panels are simple to install on a roof and create electricity without the use of wires or cords. Thermal engines require a large volume of lubricating oil, which is costly.
- Solar energy is completely environmentally beneficial because it generates electricity without the use of any fuel. While thermal power stations are to blame for rising sea levels because they release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and the Earth's temperature is rising as a result of the increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Note: In physics, energy is the ability to perform work. It can take many forms, including potential, kinetic, thermal, electrical, chemical, radioactive, and others.Furthermore, there is heat and work—that is, energy in the transmission of energy from one body to another. Energy cannot be generated or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one state to another. The conservation of energy, or the first law of thermodynamics, is the name given to this principle.