A school is deciding whether to install solar panels or a small wind turbine to supply electricity to the building. State two advantages and two disadvantages of using solar panels as a renewable energy resource to generate electricity.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Solar panels convert light energy from the Sun directly into electrical energy. Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from moving air into electrical energy. Both are classified as renewable energy resources.
Model answer (4 marks)
1. Solar energy is renewable – it can be replenished as quickly as it is used and will not run out.
2. Solar panels do not release greenhouse gases or other harmful emissions during operation.
3. Solar panels are less reliable – output depends on weather and they only generate electricity when there is sunlight, making the supply intermittent.
4. Solar panels are more costly – the initial cost of manufacturing and installing them is high.
2. Solar panels do not release greenhouse gases or other harmful emissions during operation.
3. Solar panels are less reliable – output depends on weather and they only generate electricity when there is sunlight, making the supply intermittent.
4. Solar panels are more costly – the initial cost of manufacturing and installing them is high.
Examiner tips
- Use the exact wording from the mark scheme – e.g. "renewable" and "no greenhouse gases". Mention both reliability and cost as the two disadvantages. Keep the answer concise and avoid extra explanation.
Common mistakes
- Writing that solar panels produce electricity all the time or that they are cheap. Using vague terms like "clean" instead of "no greenhouse gases". Including unnecessary details such as efficiency percentages.
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- Advantage 1: solar energy is renewable / can be replenished as quickly as it is used / will not run out
- Advantage 2: solar panels do not release greenhouse gases / do not contribute to global warming / no combustion / no harmful emissions during operation
- Disadvantage 1: solar panels are less reliable / output depends on weather / only generate electricity in sunlight / output is intermittent
- Disadvantage 2: solar panels are more costly / expensive to manufacture or install / high initial cost
Key terms in this question
renewable energy resource · solar panels
Related
- All Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) revision notes →
- How to answer a "State" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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