Which statement describes a disadvantage of solar energy?

Get ready for the NCEA Level 1 Energy Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with clear explanations and hints. Prepare for success!

Solar energy is limited by when the sun shines. The main idea here is that it can’t provide a constant, guaranteed supply because its production depends on sunlight, which varies with day and night and with weather. That variability means electricity from solar can drop off or disappear when it’s night or cloudy, unless we have storage to hold energy or backup power from other sources. So, the biggest drawback is this intermittent availability, which makes solar less reliable on its own. The other statements describe either positives (an abundant potential in sunny places) or traits that aren’t true for solar (it doesn’t deliver high energy density or consistently reliable output).