Now we have two alternative sources for our little dilemma : Solar and the infamous Nuclear (Which is like Nuclear with a different process and . Solar derives from the Latin word sol which means "sun". Solar energy is one of the alternative energy sources that is efficient, clean and comes from a source found everywhere namely the sun using a silicon photovoltaic module with a light-sensitive surface called a Solar Panel.
But due to the nature and limitations of today's technology, It is only 21.5% efficiency rate on commercial products.But scientist are studying on how to improve the designs of the module for better efficiency.
Pros:
>Has a lower production cost than most conventional power generators.
>Can be mounted in any flat surface.
Cons:
>Is useless in rainy or cloudy weather.
>produces less electricity than conventional power generators.
Nuclear is a little more dirty (Ifyouknowwhatimean ;3) for unlike Solar energy, Nuclear Energy leaves a lot of radioactive waste lying around. Normally people would be like "Meh" when they hear of disposing Nuclear Waste properly but technically Nuclear waste is basically like sh*t, Only difference it's a sh*t that kills. Now back to Nuclear Energy, Just as many conventional thermal power stations generate electricity by harnessing the thermal energy released from burning fossil fuels, nuclear power plants convert the energy released from the nucleus of an atom via nuclear fission that takes place in a nuclear reactor. The heat is removed from the reactor core by a cooling system that uses the heat to generate steam, which drives a steam turbine connected to a generator producing electricity. Nuclear energy is achieved by the fission of two molecules and uses a nuclear exothermic reaction to generate useful heat and energy.This type has been used to power aircraft carriers and submarines during the Second World War but due to the instability of the nature of Nuclear Reactors(Power plants for Nuclear Energy).A nuclear reactor is only part of the life-cycle for nuclear power. The process starts with mining (see Uranium mining). Uranium mines are underground, open-pit, or in-situ leach mines. In any case, the uranium ore is extracted, usually converted into a stable and compact form such as yellowcake, and then transported to a processing facility. Here, the yellowcake is converted to uranium hexafluoride, which is then enriched using various techniques. At this point, the enriched uranium, containing more than the natural 0.7% U-235, is used to make rods of the proper composition and geometry for the particular reactor that the fuel is destined for. The fuel rods will spend about 3 operational cycles (typically 6 years total now) inside the reactor, generally until about 3% of their uranium has been fissioned, then they will be moved to a spent fuel pool where the short lived isotopes generated by fission can decay away. After about 5 years in a spent fuel pool the spent fuel is radioactively and thermally cool enough to handle, and it can be moved to dry storage casks or reprocessed.
RFS Dmitri Donskoy (TK-208) is a Russian Navy nuclear ballistic missile submarine, designated Project 941 Akula class (NATO reporting name Typhoon)
Pros:
>Produces more power than a Solar Panel and most conventional means of power generation.
Cons:
>High-Maintenance.
>High-Risk.
>Volatile and Mutagenic waste.
>Refer to Chernobyl
The price of energy inputs and the environmental costs of every nuclear power plant continue long after the facility has finished generating its last useful electricity. Both nuclear reactors and uranium enrichment facilities must be decommissioned, returning the facility and its parts to a safe enough level to be entrusted for other uses. After a cooling-off period that may last as long as a century, reactors must be dismantled and cut into small pieces to be packed in containers for final disposal. The process is very expensive, time-consuming, dangerous for workers, hazardous to the natural environment, and presents new opportunities for human error, accidents or sabotage. The total energy required for decommissioning can be as much as 50% more than the energy needed for the original construction. In most cases, the decommissioning process costs between US $300 million to US$5.6 billion. Decommissioning at nuclear sites which have experienced a serious accident are the most expensive and time-consuming. In the U.S. there are 13 reactors that have permanently shut down and are in some phase of decommissioning, and none of them have completed the process.
Sources:
Wikipedia - Nuclear Power
Wikipedia - Solar Panels