What is one strength of solar energy?

What is one strength of solar energy?

• A. It is renewable and does not produce harmful pollutants.
• B. It always provides energy at night.
• C. It requires ongoing mining of finite resources.
• D. It cannot be used in urban settings.

Answer: (A)

The main idea tested here is the clean, renewable nature of solar energy and its low emissions during operation. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity without burning fuel, so they don’t release pollutants like sulfur dioxide or particulate matter while producing power. This makes solar energy a strong option for reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. Understanding the other statements helps see why this is the best point: solar energy does not always provide power at night because there’s no sunlight then, so storage or a different energy source is needed to maintain supply. The notion of ongoing mining of finite resources isn’t a fundamental feature of generating solar power itself—though materials are used to make panels, the energy produced doesn’t require continual extraction during operation. Lastly, solar can be deployed in urban settings, such as rooftop installations and building-integrated photovoltaics, so the idea that it cannot be used in cities isn’t accurate.

The main idea tested here is the clean, renewable nature of solar energy and its low emissions during operation. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity without burning fuel, so they don’t release pollutants like sulfur dioxide or particulate matter while producing power. This makes solar energy a strong option for reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.

Understanding the other statements helps see why this is the best point: solar energy does not always provide power at night because there’s no sunlight then, so storage or a different energy source is needed to maintain supply. The notion of ongoing mining of finite resources isn’t a fundamental feature of generating solar power itself—though materials are used to make panels, the energy produced doesn’t require continual extraction during operation. Lastly, solar can be deployed in urban settings, such as rooftop installations and building-integrated photovoltaics, so the idea that it cannot be used in cities isn’t accurate.