Harnessing solar energy is a historical technology that has spanned many ages, but in the modern era, this technology has witnessed tremendous development with advances in technology. Harnessing solar energy is vital to achieving environmental sustainability and meeting growing energy needs. Here are some advantages and disadvantages related to solar energy harnessing technology:

Solar energy features:

1. Technical simplicity:
   • Using solar energy is relatively simple and less complicated compared to other energy source technology.
2. Cost of use:
   • Solar energy is freely available, and this contributes to reducing the cost of producing electricity and heating water.
3. clean environment:
   • Solar energy is a clean energy source, as it does not cause air or environmental pollution, which preserves the environment.
4. Renewable and inexhaustible:
   • Solar energy depends on sunlight, which is a renewable and inexhaustible resource.
5. Without fuel consumption:
   • Solar cells do not require fuel consumption, reducing society’s dependence on traditional fuel sources.
6. Low maintenance:
   • Solar systems have long life and low maintenance cost.

Disadvantages of solar energy:

1. Solar radiation dependency:
   • The performance of solar systems depends on the presence of sunlight, so they can be ineffective in places with poor weather conditions or during the night.
2. Technology cost:
   • The price of solar technologies remains high, especially for solar cell technology.
3. Environmental impact of production:
   • Solar cell production processes and conversion technology can have an environmental impact during the manufacturing stages.
4. Effect of weather conditions:
   • Adverse weather conditions, such as clouds and fog, can affect the efficiency of solar systems.
5. Requires maintenance for solar panels:
   • Solar panels require regular cleaning to ensure effective performance.
6. The space required:
   • Installing solar panels requires a large space to generate large amounts of power, which may not be possible in some locations.

Solar energy harnessing technologies offer many advantages, and despite the current challenges, this technology is expected to evolve to meet sustainable energy needs in the future.

Solar energy is considered one of the cleanest and most sustainable forms of energy, and can be used in a wide range of applications. Here are some uses of solar energy:

1. Water heating:
   • Solar heaters are used to heat water using the thermal energy of the sun, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
2. Street lighting:
   • Solar cells are used to produce electrical energy to light streets and roads at night, which reduces electrical energy consumption.
3. Daylighting:
   • Solar energy can be used directly for natural lighting during the day, without the need for artificial light sources.
4. Electricity generation:
   • Sunlight is converted into electricity through solar cells, and this electricity can be used to operate household appliances or generate electrical power in solar plants.
5. Water desalination:
   • Solar energy can be used to power desalination systems, where marine water is converted into drinkable water using solar energy.
6. Operating devices in remote areas:
   • In remote areas that may be far from electricity grids, solar energy can be used to power basic appliances such as lighting and charging.
7. Operation of solar thermal power plants:
   • Solar thermal power plants use concentrated solar radiation to generate steam and drive turbines to generate electricity.
8. Improving energy efficiency in buildings:
   • Solar energy systems can be used in buildings to improve energy efficiency and provide heating and cooling.
9. Charging electronic devices:
   • Solar chargers can be used to charge cell phones and other electronic devices.
10. Improving environmental sustainability:
    • As a clean energy source, solar energy contributes to reducing harmful emissions to the environment and improving its sustainability.

The use of solar energy contributes to improving our environment and saving traditional energy sources, which enhances sustainability and reduces the effects of climate change.