Comparative analysis of solar energy and conventional energy sources in terms of efficiency and cost
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
2 Department of Chemistry, Ideal College, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
3 School of Business, Galgotias University, Delhi, India.
Research Article
International Journal of Scholarly Research in Engineering and Technology, 2026, 07(02), 020-032.
Article DOI: 10.56781/ijsret.2026.7.2.0015
Publication history:
Received on 05 May 2026; revised on 27 June 2026; accepted on 29 June 2026
Abstract:
The global demand for energy has increased significantly over the last few decades due to industrialization, urbanization, and population growth. Conventional energy resources such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum have historically dominated electricity generation because of their established infrastructure, reliability, and high energy density. However, growing concerns regarding environmental degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves have accelerated the transition toward renewable energy technologies. Among the renewable alternatives, solar energy has emerged as one of the most promising and rapidly expanding sources of clean electricity generation
(Kelvin Edem Bassey et al., 2024)
. This paper presents a comparative analysis of solar energy and conventional energy sources in terms of efficiency, operational performance, lifecycle costs, environmental impact, and long-term economic viability. The study evaluates photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) systems alongside conventional thermal power plants fueled by coal, natural gas, and oil
(Hussain et al., 2024)
. The paper examines capital investment requirements, maintenance expenses, conversion efficiencies, operating costs, fuel dependency, and environmental externalities associated with each technology. A lifecycle assessment approach is applied to compare energy payback periods, levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and sustainability indicators. The findings demonstrate that although conventional energy systems currently maintain advantages in dispatch reliability and initial energy conversion efficiency, solar technologies offer substantial long-term benefits due to declining installation costs, low operational expenses, minimal fuel requirements, and reduced carbon emissions
(Hussain et al., 2024)
. The study concludes that continuous technological innovation, economies of scale, government incentives, and improvements in energy storage technologies are making solar energy increasingly competitive with traditional fossil-fuel-based electricity generation. The integration of solar energy into modern power systems can significantly contribute to energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience.
Keywords:
Solar Energy; Conventional Energy; Photovoltaic Systems; Renewable Energy; Efficiency Analysis; Lifecycle Cost Assessment; Sustainability; Energy Economics.
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