As a tropical country, Indonesia has abundant renewable energy potential, especially solar energy. This energy source is considered more environmentally friendly compared to coal and petroleum because it doesn’t produce greenhouse gas emissions.
But is solar energy ready to replace fossil fuels as the primary energy source? Let’s explore the facts and the challenges in transitioning to clean energy.
What Is Solar Energy?
Solar energy comes from the sun’s radiation in the form of light and heat. It’s one of the most abundant renewable energy sources on Earth.
One of its biggest advantages is that it’s renewable and eco-friendly. As long as the sun shines, this energy source will never run out.
Using solar energy also produces zero greenhouse gas emissions during operation, making it a key solution in the fight against climate change.
Read More: 5 Benefits of Solar Energy You Won’t Get from Fossil Fuels
How to Convert Solar Energy into Electricity?
To harness sunlight and turn it into electricity, there are a few principles you need to understand and some components that need to be in place.
How Solar Panels Work
Solar panels operate based on the photovoltaic effect, where sunlight energy is absorbed by semiconductor materials, resulting in the release of electrons.
When photons from sunlight strike the surface of a solar cell, their energy disrupts the position of electrons within the semiconductor atoms, allowing the electrons to move freely and generate direct current (DC) electricity.
This is the fundamental principle behind the conversion of solar energy into electricity used in solar panel technology.
Key Components of a Solar Power System
A typical solar power system consists of:
- Solar Panels: Capture sunlight and convert it into DC electricity.
- Inverter: Converts DC electricity into AC so it’s compatible with household appliances.
- Battery: Used in off-grid or hybrid systems to store excess energy for use at night or during cloudy weather.
- Distribution System: Delivers electricity to your devices.
With these components, solar energy can effectively power homes and businesses while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Read More: The Most Harmful Effects of Air Pollution on Health and the Environment
Challenges in Implementing Solar Energy
Although Indonesia has huge potential for solar power, there are still some challenges, including:
Dependence on Weather and Location
Solar energy heavily relies on sunlight. Power generation completely stops at night, and during cloudy weather, output can drop by 10–25% from its normal capacity.
Geographic location also matters. While Indonesia generally enjoys good sunlight exposure, areas with heavy rainfall or long rainy seasons may see reduced energy production.
High Upfront Costs
The installation of solar power systems, including panels, inverters, batteries, and labor, remains a major barrier.
Although the cost of solar panels has dropped significantly over the past decade, the initial investment is still relatively high. Many people also worry about the long payback period.
Limited Energy Storage
To ensure a stable supply at night or during bad weather, energy storage is essential. However, battery technology is still expensive, has limited capacity, and a relatively short lifespan.
This makes the overall cost of solar systems even higher, adding financial pressure for consumers.
Read More: Why Cutting Carbon Emissions Is Crucial for Earth’s Future
Is Solar Energy Ready to Replace Fossil Fuels?
Solar energy is often seen as a top candidate to replace fossil fuels. In terms of availability and environmental impact, it’s clearly superior, renewable and emission-free during use.
However, a complete switch from fossil fuels to solar energy is not easy and won’t happen overnight.
One major challenge is supply stability. Solar power still can’t fully replace fossil fuels because the infrastructure and distribution networks aren’t fully ready yet. Unlike fossil fuels, which can be used anytime, solar energy depends on sunlight.
Furthermore, the sheer scale of global energy demand presents another significant obstacle. Fossil fuel infrastructure is already well-established and widely accessible.
Read More: Cheap but Risky! The Pros and Cons of Coal Energy
LNG: A More Ready Alternative for Now
LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is natural gas cooled into liquid form for easier storage and transportation.
As an alternative energy source, LNG is currently more ready than renewables like solar. The global LNG supply network is already well-developed, with terminals in various countries and a fleet of tanker ships.
Its main advantage is transportation flexibility. LNG can be shipped anywhere, unlike solar energy, which depends on specific geographic conditions.
From an infrastructure and distribution standpoint, LNG can replace fossil fuels like coal and oil, making it a strategic transition fuel.
Compared to coal, LNG produces 40–50% less carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions when burned, helping reduce emissions in the short term.
Not only does it provide a stable power supply, but LNG is also considered a cleaner energy source
References:
- ESDM. Accessed 2025. Solar Power Plants in Indonesia
- NREL. Accessed 2025. Solar Energy Basics
- IRENA. Accessed 2025. Solar PV Supply Chains: Technical and ESG Standards for Market Integration
