The global environment is deteriorating rapidly with the use of fossil fuels, which will one day run out. The world is again looking for clean renewable energy sources that can reduce pollution while still providing enough energy for our use. Hydroelectricity and solar discharge are two good options. In this paper we are going to discuss various issues about hydroelectricity and solar energy.

Comparison of hydroelectricity and solar energy system

Initial cost

Although solar panels are more expensive, with the improvement of solar systems, the total initial cost of the solar system has been reduced significantly. Hydroelectricity usually has a higher initial cost, it not only uses hydroelectric turbines, like there are larger scale hydroelectric power plants, but also uses a lot of construction materials like cement to provide the prerequisites for hydroelectricity. As opposed to purchasing solar panels, inverters, solar battery and a host of other components when using a solar energy system, you are purchasing a hydro turbine giving you the impression that hydroelectricity is cheaper. But in reality the total initial cost of the solar system will be lower.

Efficiency

In terms of power generation efficiency. Hydroelectric power generation will be more efficient, according to the relevant research can be seen, hydroelectric conversion rate can be more than 90% of the water energy into electricity. However, the photovoltaic conversion rate of solar panels is usually 15% to 20%, and some first-class solar brands can increase the photovoltaic conversion rate of solar panels to 25%.

Impact on the environment

Hydroelectricity may lead to geographic segregation of species within the river and may even lead to the extinction of some fish species due to the need to build dams. Hydroelectric power also produces a lot of noise, and some birds cannot survive in the annex, destroying the local habitat of species, and large dams are not allowed to be inhabited nearby, destroying people’s homes. Solar power may occupy a large amount of land resources, and large solar power plant will also seriously affect the aesthetics of the city, if the solar energy system is built in important ecological and environmental protection areas, there is damage to the balance of the local ecosystem. And large solar power plants can lead to fragmentation of wildlife habitats.

Applicability

Hydroelectricity mainly relies on rivers and other water-rich areas, not for home or business, usually public utilities will use hydroelectricity. But the applicability of solar energy is more extensive, including household power supply, communication neighbourhood, transportation field can use solar energy, for some deserts, plateaus can still use solar energy, almost all sunny places can use solar energy.

Reliability

Solar energy is actually solar thermal radiation generated by the nuclear fission of the sun. As long as there is still a sun, solar energy will not disappear. And the life of the sun to the current changes still have billions of years, far more than the life of the earth. So solar energy is a very reliable energy source. Water energy is also a form of solar energy in the macro, high water level water through the sun’s transpiration to form water vapor, the formation of water potential energy and pressure energy, in the use of hydraulic turbines to generate electricity. If we protect our water resources, hydroelectricity is also a reliable source of energy.

Lifespan

The lifespan of hydroelectricity can reach more than 50 years, and during this period, only the initial site selection is good enough, the power generation efficiency is guaranteed, and during this period there is almost no need for maintenance. The service life of the solar system in more than 25 years, but during this period may be replaced part of the components, but also regular maintenance and cleaning.

Which is better, hydro or solar?

For those who live near rivers and have enough cost, hydroelectricity is certainly better, it is not affected by the environment, the output of electricity is more stable, and do not have to worry about other maintenance problems later. However, hydroelectricity is still mainly controlled directly by the state, using large hydroelectric power plants.

Solar energy is suitable for households, solar panels can also be added directly to the building or installed on the roof to reduce the land use area, but other shadows, the temperature may also affect the power generation efficiency of solar panels. Whether hydro or solar is better depends on the actual location and size of the need.

CONCLUSION:

Both hydroelectricity and solar energy have their own advantages, they are both clean and renewable sources of energy, and both are indispensable players in the future use of energy. Hydroelectricity and solar energy are not competitors, and using hydroelectricity and solar energy in combination will lead us to a better future.