Solar Energy Sustainability Assignment

Question

Task:
1. Choose a diffèrent sustainability issue (different from reflective writing task 1 and your project) that addresses the socio-ecological aspect. In the introduction, include your concern on the socio-ecological issue.

2. Explain your idea of systematic design in the context of sustainability. Explain the different sustainable design criteria. Discuss how the issue can be mitigated applying sustainable design criteria.

3. Discuss the uncertainty aspect in the earlier part of the sustainable solution.

4. Distinguish clearly between uncertainty and risk.

Answer

Abstract
The current report of solar energy sustainability assignment addresses the concept of solar energy and illustrates that it is sustainable and provides a source of energy when compared to fossil. The solar panel makes use of the energy from the sun to convert it into electrical energy. Solar energy has emerged to be one of the most sustainable forms of energy. The current scope of the reflective report discusses the socio-ecological aspect with the systematic design of sustainability, distinguishing between risk and uncertainty of solar panel. Solar energy made from solar panels is non-polluting, cost-effective and encompasses the sustainability principles. They are ecologically friendly and sustainable in nature. The solar batteries from which the solar panels are made off require to be made in an ecologically sustainable manner, such that the entire concept focuses on sustainability. Another concern of suitability issue is the driving cost of solar panels where they are not concerned to be renewable. Once these sustainability matters are attended to solar panels can emerge to be one of the best methods for generating energy sustainably.

Introduction
Solar energy is sustainable and provides a source of energy when compared to fossil fuels (Darwish et al. 2013, p. 158). The solar panel makes use of the energy from the sun to convert it into electrical energy. Solar energy has emerged to be one of the most sustainable forms of energy. Pollution from fossil fuel and traditional method of manufacturing electrical energy has considerable impacts on our planet. Burning of fossil fuel causes pollution and significant carbon footprints that cause climatic and other environmental impacts. Considerable research is being conducted to build forms of energy sustainable in nature (Pingel et al. 2010, p. 002822). The current scope of the reflective report discusses the socio-ecological aspect with the systematic design of sustainability, distinguishing between risk and uncertainty of solar panel.

How socio-ecological issue discuss within the study of solar energy sustainability assignment?
Environmental issues might bring about permanent or temporary changes to the atmosphere, land and water from activities either reversible or irreversible in nature. In this current context, I think the socio-ecological issue arising from air pollution due to the combustion of fossil fuels has been discussed and compared against solar energy. Manufacturing of electrical energy by the burning of fossil fuels has an impact on the local community, society as a whole and the environment (Hernandez et al. 2014, p. 770). I have noticed that manufacturing of electrical energy has a discrete point source that can be identified as a point of emission. It releases pollution into the atmosphere, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), different oxides of nitrogen, carbon dioxide as well as monoxide of carbon along with particulate matter (PM). The industrial process used in manufacturing often releases sometimes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals. The companies producing electrical energy through the combustion of fossil fuel does not take any step to arrest such pollutants and releases them straight into the air. The impacts from such operations extend to human health, safety and other environmental concerns. It degrades the overall quality of air that is breathed in, for the surrounding region as well as for far spread areas. The degradation in the air quality leads to an impact on various diseases such as breathing troubles, asthma, lung ailments, vision disorders, irritation of eyes to name a few. According to me the secondary impacts of air pollution is significant and has been associated with high rates of cardiac ailments, cancers of various types and even claims mortality. The impact on pollution is more on infants with increased impacts on adult population too. There is an increasing burden of diseases and expenditure on health especially in the surrounding community where electricity is manufactured. The impact of such pollution has a significant bearing on plant and animal lives too. I have seen some species of plants are known to die in such polluting conditions, especially as these pollutants are known to enter the water stream. Such pollutants impacts on the aquatic life and land species as well as infected areas are known to have a diminishing variety of such species.

On the contrary, the socio-ecological aspect of installing a solar panel and converting solar energy into electrical energy has significantly less impact. The socio issues associated with solar panel functioning and installation is the cost and expertise involved with it. But I feel professional training with expertise is needed for the installation of such panels. Solar energy made from solar panels is non-polluting, cost-effective and encompasses the sustainability principles. They are ecologically friendly and sustainable in nature. The solar batteries from which the solar panels are made off require to be made in an ecologically sustainable manner, such that the entire concept focuses on sustainability.

Systematic Design of Sustainability
The systematic design of sustainability of solar panels undertakes a combination of systems thinking into human-focused designs. Installation of solar panels might be tremendously complex and challenging in nature such that negative environmental impacts can be minimized (Beloin-Saint-Pierre et al. 2009, p. 4520). Most solar panels are installed on roof-tops of buildings and housing complexes. They take considerable spaces as large solar panels need to be installed for powering tall buildings and multiple houses in complexes. Hence I applied sustainable design criteria, the available resources can be made use off so as to create sustainability in the long run. A well-insulated building will require less electrical energy. An efficient building will generate less heat reducing the dissipation of power with more ventilation capacity for expelling polluted air. Passive solar building designs will be able to harness the sun's energy efficiently with the use of photovoltaic (PV) cells will generate solar energy. Commercial available PVs range from 4% to 28% which impacts the large amounts of investments that are made on solar panel installation. The roofs will need to angled towards the sun to collect energy at maximum efficiency. An example of such orientation in systematic design is; in the northern hemisphere, a south-facing orientation maximizes yield for solar panels (Turney and Fthenakis, 2011, p. 3270). In order to maximize efficiency in the winter, the collectors can be angled above the horizontal latitude of +15 degrees. In order to increase efficiency further, the angle of the panel above horizontal has to be equal to its latitude.

Discuss about uncertainty in Sustainable Solution within this solar energy sustainability assignment
Uncertainty is present in the environmental context, especially in the domain of solar panel applications. Individuals, communities and societies as well as the government has realized the potentially harmful impact of fossil fuel and wants to change over to solar energy (Jiang, Lu and Sun, 2011, p. 4300). However, there remain uncertainties in the sustainable solution due to ignorance, parameter uncertainty and the model uncertainty. While parameter uncertainties can easily be met and overcome by including safety factors and running various tests of simulation, according to me. A significant amount of precautionary measures and steps need to be adhered to while installation of the solar panels, PV batteries and making connections. The angle for installation needs to be determined to reduce energy losses from the PV cells.

The model uncertainties can be attained in case a model adaptation is taken into a place that is robust or can react to uncertainties. I feel that the solar panels can be installed using the socio-ecological model (SEM). The SEM can leverage the understanding and interactive effects of personal and environmental factors (Berghold et al. 2010, p. 3758). Further, it can assist in the promotion of behaviours that can increase effectiveness and efficiency derived from solar energy.

Ignorance of precautionary policies can bring about tremendous and serious threats to the potential issue of sustainability involved. Serious consequences can arise as a result of ignorance while implementing solar energy sustainability solutions. Care has to be taken to ensure that the solar panels are installed at proper angles and the PV installed are of appropriate qualities. The connections installed needs to be done with proper care and guidance.

Uncertainty & Risk Uncertainties can arise from any types of doubts or ignorance with the current system, whereas risks are dangers that need to be managed, avoided or transferred (Scherba, Sailor, Rosenstiel and Wamser, 2011, p. 2500). While PV cells generate electricity from sunlight as being an emission-free method to create power, there are certain risks identified in solar panel technology. The manufacturing of solar panel is associated with considerable substances that produce greenhouse gases with hazardous by-products. There are risks of electricity associated with this sustainable solution. Solar panels are considered unsuited for appliances that demand a lot of power such as ovens and air conditioners. While installing solar panels include connecting to a local power grid, companies equipment which is used in step down of the high-voltage transmission lines can often create lethal voltages. I have noted workers working to repair damages might face severe lash-out. There is associated with significant risks in the installation of solar panels due to their roof-top installations. there can be potential risks of injury by falling down.

Conclusion
After analyzing the study of solar energy sustainability assignment it can be said that solar technology continues advancing in its field. Though not at the present, yet solar energy at some point is expected to be more cost-effective as compared to other non-renewable energy sources. Sun can be assumed to the sustainable source of energy however some materials used in manufacturing the solar panels are not sustainable. Solar panels are built with rare minerals such as selenium which will get exhausted in case they are exploited at a continuous pace. This dilemma has to be overcome with advanced technologies in solar panels. Another concern of suitability issue is the driving cost of solar panels where they are not concerned to be renewable. Once these sustainability matters are attended to solar panels can emerge to be one of the best methods for generating energy sustainably. Solar energy sustainability assignments are being prepared by our management assignment help experts from top universities which let us to provide you a reliable assignment help online service.

Reference List
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