Nuclear Power vs. Photovoltaic Solar Panels

In the eve of the Second World War, in 1945, two bombs fell on Japan and the world shook. For the first time in all of man’s technological advancements, had we realized just how destructive weapons of war could be. As Japan lay burning and defeated, the War came to an end and nuclear power was realized as a potent force of the 20th century. By the 21st century, we have changed this force from an entity of destruction to a source of power. Power is one of the primary concerns of man, for modern life is impossible without it. For progress and survival, electricity supply has become vital. This is where there is a long ensuing controversy on how photovoltaic solar modules are also a viable source of energy. Scientists are quite unbiased about the issue of using either nuclear or natural sources of power. In this age of development, technology is tapping into every resource. We are moving towards a huge strain on the energy requirements on the planet. Solar PV systems are just one of the many developments towards green energy. While only a handful of powerful nations have nuclear capability, the sun is accessible to us all. This is why multi crystalline solar modules are by far much more in demand than nuclear energy. But let us study the subject a bit more intricately in context – Quantity vs. Safety Polycrystalline solar panels are considerably a safe way to generate electricity from the light of the sun. As long as the sun provides sufficient light and radiant heat, the photo electric effect can help a photovoltaic solar panel generate electricity through the photoelectric effect. But this form of energy is both slow in production and very dependent on external factors like weather and climatic conditions. Nuclear power on the other hand is not affected by any form of changes in the external surroundings. The immense power released in the decay of uranium, plutonium, or other radioactive elements is used to generate steam and thus in turn produce large amounts of electricity. However, nuclear power is extremely volatile and very sensitive. A little flaw in the process can cause a leak or a nuclear meltdown that could destroy entire geographical areas like Chernobyl in Ukraine. Availability of Resources The development of both nuclear power and multi crystalline solar modules is quite costly. However, a major difference lies in the procurement of the required materials. Silicon, the main substance required for making polycrystalline solar panels, makes up about 30% of the earth’s crust. Though it is very rare to find in its raw state, this metalloid can easily be extracted for photovoltaic solar panels. The radioactive elements that are used to generate nuclear power are extremely rare and very costly to process. Most of the radioactive elements came to earth from outer space in our planet’s primordial past. Today, they are extremely costly to make a viable source of power, and hence only a few of biggest nations in the world can afford to develop this form of energy. This factor of easy availability of materials is one of the major reasons for the popularity of photovoltaic solar modules.