Solar Energy as Renewable Energy Source: SWOT Analysis

The adverse environmental effects from fossil fuels and their depletion through time push the world to consider sustainable and environmentally friendly forms of energy sources. The advancement put forward to improve the performance of Solar energy has made it to be one of the potential alternative energy sources in the years ahead. This paper, therefore, assesses the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of using solar energy. The suitability of solar energy to the environment, minimal cost in the long ran, and its versatility are few to mention among other significant advantages of this energy source to get noticeable attention in an effort to substitute fossil fuels. The expected cost reduction through time with the technology advancement is also taken as opportunity to use solar energy. However, using solar energy has also weaknesses and threats which yet require further attentions. The low efficiency, high initial cost, energy storage requirement are some of the challenges. In addition, shifting the energy source for industries from fossil fuel to solar energy remains as a challenge due to the utilities which are already in place and working with conventional fuels. Although some of the weaknesses and threats to solar energy application still exist, through technology advancement most of the problems would be addressed in the future.