In the past, we used fossil fuels the most, but the use of fossil fuels is causing rapid changes in the global environment, leading to the urgent need for renewable and clean energy sources, nuclear energy and solar energy, two low-carbon energy sources that have become major contenders. In this paper, we will focus on a series of issues such as comparing the differences between nuclear and solar energy as well as future energy development.

1. Difference between nuclear energy and solar energy

Difference in power generation principle:

Nuclear power generation makes use of the energy generated by nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor to generate electricity, and the process of nuclear fission splits larger atomic nuclei into smaller ones, which generates a lot of energy in the process. It is similar to thermal power generation in that it only replaces the chemical energy of fossil fuels with nuclear fission energy, using a steam generator to heat water into steam that drives a turbine to generate electricity.

Solar power system is generated through the absorption of light energy by silicon, a semiconductor material in solar panels, which converts electrons into active electrons, and the electrons move directionally under the action of an electric field to form an electric current.

Difference in energy density:

The energy density of nuclear energy is much higher than that of solar energy, about 1 kilogram of uranium in the case of complete fission, can produce about 20,000 megawatt-hours of energy, which is equivalent to 2700 tons of coal combustion when the energy released.

The energy density of solar power is lower, and the utilization rate of solar panels for solar energy is also lower, generally between 15% and 25%.

Difference in Safety:

The safety of nuclear power generation is notoriously controversial. Nuclear accidents can have a serious impact on our living environment, such as the Fukushima nuclear accident. Despite the strict safety measures taken by nuclear power plants, there is still a certain degree of danger because the nuclear reaction itself can be quite violent.

Solar power will be better in terms of safety, solar energy system in the normal use of the process is not a safety incident, and generally for large-scale photovoltaic power station will have lightning protection equipment, so there is no need to worry about solar energy system will be struck by lightning.

Difference in the use of equipment:

nuclear power generation requires equipment such as the main circulating pump, voltage regulator, steam generator, condenser, steam-water separation reheaters and other equipment.

Solar power generation requires equipment such as solar panels, solar inverters, solar battery, etc.

Difference in input cost:

Nuclear power generation requires high cost, such as a large amount of cement and protective equipment in the construction of nuclear power reactors. Moreover, the use of nuclear power generation requires the use of many cutting-edge technologies, and the instability of nuclear energy requires continuous research, which are the cost inputs of nuclear power generation.

With the continuous improvement of solar power technology, the cost of solar power has been continuously reduced, since 2015, the cost of solar power has been reduced by 50%. And in the later operation of solar energy use, you do not need any maintenance costs.

Difference in space:

Because solar power systems are less efficient, we generally use a large amount of land area for solar panels in order to ensure that the solar energy is fully utilized, in addition to the fact that for off-grid or hybrid solar power systems, you will need to have a place to store the solar battery.

Nuclear power generation also requires space for the nuclear reactor, cooling system and storage of other equipment, but it is relatively small compared to a large area for solar panels.

Difference in installation location:

Generally, nuclear power stations are built in less crowded suburbs, and in the process of nuclear power generation, only professionals may be in the vicinity of the nuclear power station. And nuclear power stations are built directly by the state.

For solar energy, solar energy systems can be installed wherever there is sunlight, and for some large-scale photovoltaic power stations, they are built by governments or public utilities. But small and medium-sized photovoltaic power stations can be installed in general households.

Difference in environmental impact:

Nuclear power generation produces radioactive waste and greenhouse gases and other pollutants during the nuclear fission process. The greenhouse gases produced by nuclear power generation are still relatively easy to deal with, but the radioactive waste is very difficult to deal with.

Solar power generation process is almost no pollutants, because solar power does not need the help of other energy sources, so solar power generation will not cause pollution to the atmosphere.

2. Nuclear energy or solar energy, which is better?

Both energy sources have certain flaws and it is not possible to say which one is better. For nuclear energy. The biggest problem now is the uncontrollability of the nuclear reaction process, which makes nuclear power generation more dangerous. However, if in the future, nuclear power technology is further developed, the danger of nuclear power generation can be reduced and radioactive waste can be effectively disposed of, because of the high energy density of nuclear energy, nuclear energy may be better. In the current energy development, solar energy is still better, although its energy density is lower, but solar energy can be used directly in the home, which will be more convenient. Solar power is also a good choice if the photovoltaic conversion rate of solar panels can be further improved.

CONCLUSION:

The world is at a critical point in the energy transition for both nuclear and solar energy, they both still have deficiencies, but continuous innovation in the nuclear and solar neighbourhoods is possible to improve the viability of these two sources of energy as the main energy support. It is believed that in the future, we can realize the transition to renewable and clean energy and build a low-carbon future.