The Controversy of Harnessing Solar Energy

    We often hear about solar car, solar heating or solar batteries. But will solar energy ever be a major source of energy for society? The solar energy is cheaper than any other fossil fuels because we can get the abundant source from the sun. In sunny desert areas, 50% of the sun’s radiation that reaches the ground could be used to produce electricity of business and industry to provide heat, light and hot water for homes. Experimental solar ponds can produce hot water to drive generators. Unfortunately, we can’t yet power our homes entirely on sunlight. Solar energy can only be exploited in bright light. Its great potential, therefore, is in hot countries that have clear skies for most of the year. But unfortunately most houses are not always in the sunniest part of the world. Moreover, in order to harness to solar power, solar cells are needed to convert the sunlight directly into electricity. Solar cells are very cheap to run, but relatively to buy and many people can’t afford them. Needless to say that solar energy is a useful and non-polluted source of energy. Unfortunately, solar cells, the main device to harness the sun’s energy are still very expensive.

Explain the following terms in your own words!

a. what is the content of the issue?