Solar energy is becoming more and more popular as a source of household energy in many countries around the world | Band 8 IELTS essay sample

Solar energy is becoming more and more popular as a source of household energy in many countries around the world. Why is this? What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy?

Here is a band 8 IELTS essay on this topic. Need help with writing? Send me your writing samples for a free band score estimate or get a detailed analysis of your writing for a fee.

Band 8 IELTS essay sample

Various countries across the world have started using solar power for domestic purpose because it is the most abundant renewable resource of energy. Although solar energy is eco-friendly and inexhaustible, it does have a few drawbacks.

The popularity of solar energy can be attributed to the fact that it does not cause global warming like fossil fuels. Also, natural resources like petrol, tar and fuels are limited and cannot meet the increasing demand for energy. Consequently, scientists all over the world are researching alternative sources like sun and wind.

Firstly, one of the benefits of solar power as already mentioned is its abundant availability, especially in tropical countries. In other words, sun is a natural source of heat and hence there is no danger of depletion, whereas, other sources of energy are already exhausted. Secondly, solar energy does not cause pollution since it does not involve the combustion of fuels and hence helps to tackle global warming.

Nevertheless, solar energy has its own limitations which restrict its widespread usage. The main drawback is that the solar panels which are required to extract solar energy are very expensive and cannot be afforded by people from low income groups. Also the panels are quite huge and occupy a lot of space and hence many people are reluctant to use them. Another disadvantage is that since solar power needs sunshine, it cannot be relied upon as the only source of energy in many subtropical and temperate countries where it is winter for most parts of the year.

To conclude, solar is becoming more and more popular as a source of energy because it is abundant, clean and green. However, it does have some disadvantages which discourage its widespread use.

Band 8 IELTS essay sample 2

Many countries in the world are realising the importance of solar power as a major source of energy to power their households. This is because the world is moving away from fossil fuels and so they are looking for alternative types of energy to power their households.  Let us look at the advantages and disadvantages that solar energy presents.

Solar energy is a renewable, clean, and safe energy. Unlike the fossil fuels, coal, and oil, which are limited in availability and once used up cannot be replenished, the raw material for this solar energy is the sun’s rays which is available in plenty on earth. Moreover, using the solar power does not produce any harmful gases unlike coal or oil which pollute the earth’s atmosphere with poisonous gases. Solar power is also preferred to nuclear power. This is because it is safer to use compared to the hazardous threat nuclear reactors pose in case something goes wrong with them.

However solar energy is still in the developmental phase. The technology must improve to make it affordable to all. Now, the initial installation charges are quite high, and therefore people are reluctant to make the switch to solar energy. Therefore, to get things started, the government can step in and provide some form of subsidy to encourage people to embrace solar power. Another disadvantage of solar is that only tropical regions can benefit from it. It is not easy to harness solar power in the temperate zone. Another disadvantage is that tropics receive abundant rainfall and when it is cloudy, you cannot generate much energy from the sun.

To conclude, solar power has many advantages like being eco-friendly, inexhaustible and clean/safe unlike fossil fuels or nuclear energy. The disadvantage that solar energy is facing currently is the initial teething problem which can easily be overcome. Hence its positives outweigh its negatives.