The Sun is 330000 times bigger than Earth and smothers our planet with renewable energy every day. The Sun’s energy can be used to drastically reduce the world’s carbon footprint. However, the reality is humans are currently choosing to use non-renewable fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas, wood, etc.) as sources of energy. Currently, our insatiable consumption of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases — the gases responsible for warming the Earth.
Around the globe, scientists, engineers and environmentalists are working to find sources of green fuel that can meet the world’s energy demand. Solar energy is rapidly becoming the alternative energy of choice for many countries. The Washington Post estimates the solar energy sector is worth about $10 billion dollars but solar energy is currently only producing about 0.1% of the world’s electricity.
Solar Power 101
Simply put, solar power is energy gathered from the Sun. There are two main methods of utilizing the Sun’s energy: photovoltaic systems convert direct sunlight into electricity that is often stored in batteries and solar thermal systems used to collect radiant energy to produce heat.
Solar photovoltaic panels are the most common method to use solar energy to generate electricity. These are the silver-blue coloured panels normally seen on houses and in large arrays in arid climates or open fields. Solar thermal power is perhaps the oldest form of solar energy capture and can be harnessed in an infinite number of ways, from using a solar collector to boil water, provide heat and hot water for a home or factory, or using solar ovens to cook food.
Passive solar heating is a system whereby the Earth’s natural Sun warming, and shadow cooling, is incorporated into homes. Design features include south-facing windows, specialised window coverings, and trees strategically placed to heat and cool homes and offices.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory explains that solar power, ‘…can be used in both large-scale applications and in smaller systems for the home.’ In many ways the solar energy usage possibilities are endless. There might be some limitations due to location and weather, but solar energy does not have quite as many restrictions and expenses as people might believe. New technologies are rapidly eliminating the previous limitations in solar photovoltaic energy capture systems.
Solar electrical power generation is the simplest, most reliable and renewable form of alternative energy.
Solar Possibilities
After the financial and carbon cost of manufacturing, shipping and installing solar panels is taken into account, solar electrical power generation is the simplest, most reliable and renewable form of alternative energy. For example, on a clear sunny day almost 1000watts per square metre fall onto the Earth’s surface at the equator. Assuming a system efficiency of 18%, 180watts is enough energy to power three 60watt electric light bulbs or run two laptop computers. Solar photovoltaic energy capture increases with the area of solar cell coverage.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, ‘…each day more solar energy falls to the Earth than the total amount of energy the planet's 6 billion inhabitants would consume in 27 years’, however the hurdle is in how to capture this energy efficiently and use it. The average solar home system uses about 2000watts of solar energy.
Cloudy Days
Contrary to popular belief, solar electrical and heating power can still be used even in countries where the climate is not considered to be ‘sunny’. Further from the equator and dependent upon local weather conditions, much less energy is available but a solar photovoltaic system can still reduce significantly a household’s dependence upon grid electricity. In Canada, often thought to be a country where solar energy is not that useful, increasingly, individuals and businesses are installing solar panels to offset at least a portion of their electrical needs.
Solar Power Advantages
Cost is the most significant barrier to installing a solar electrical power system. However, once the initial costs of the solar catchment system installation are realized, solar energy is pretty much free for the life span of the equipment. Installation costs are dependent on how much energy the household or business is consuming. A standard 3-Kwh systems costs between $20,000 - $30,000 dollars to install before rebates, bursaries and grants are factored in. It generally takes between 5-10 years to recoup your investment by offsetting your electrical bill, and maybe sooner as the price of fossil fuels continue to increase each year.
Solar heating systems need occasional maintenance but usually last 15 years and work even on overcast or cloudy days. Solar photovoltaic panels are easy to install, last over 20 years, have no moving parts to wear out, and require no maintenance. Modern control electronics and batteries are getting more efficient and now have a realistic life span.
China makes 20% of the world’s photovoltaic cells, which is around 500MW (mega-watts) of power production per year.
Solar Panel Production
China makes 20% of the world’s photovoltaic cells, which is around 500MW (mega-watts) of power production per year. Currently, China has the capacity to make 1,500MW of solar modules to meet the high demand from the EU and the US, but the poor supply of polysilicon (used in the production of solar panels) is driving up prices and limiting production. The Washington Post reports Japanese electronics giants Sharp Corp., Kyocera Corp. and China's Suntech Power Holdings Co., are among the world's largest producers of photovoltaic cells. Numerous countries around the world are now involved in the manufacture of solar panels and other innovative solar energy catchment systems.
The Future of Solar Power
Solar electric power used to be for people wishing to live ‘off-the-grid’ but increasingly solar technology is being incorporated into new suburban developments and retro-fitted older homes. Many savvy solar consumers are now selling excess power back to the mainstream electrical grid. Innovative new materials will make solar panels easier to put on houses and look very similar to existing roof panels. Solar power is considered to be one of the fastest growing alternative energy sources, some estimates place solar energy growth as high as 25% per year. However the solar industry still has a long way to go before it can catch up with fossil fuel use.
The Sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and heart of the child.
In the meantime, solar panels are popping up around the world. In the USA, North America’s largest solar photovoltaic system was built at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The $100 million dollar plant will generate an estimated 30 million-kilowatt hours of electricity each year. The David Suzuki Foundation reports more than 29 million homes around the world use solar power for hot water and heating.
The National Directory of Solar Services explains Japan, Israel and the United States have the highest use of solar panels to heat water. China, Cypress, Germany and many of the Scandinavian countries are also increasing their solar panel use. Solar ovens are being used in many developing nations and solar cars are becoming a realistic option in warm weather countries.
Solar energy is here to stay and the future certainly will include many more solar innovations. The Ralph Waldo Emerson quote encapsulates the future of solar energy for the planet, ‘the Sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and heart of the child.’
Resources
EA Energy Alternatives Ltd Victoria: http://www.energyalternatives.ca supplies power generation and storage equipment and they offer a good resource guide to alternative energy generation.
Natural Resources Canada: http://www.canren.gc.ca for a Canadian government resource guide.
The Canadian Solar Industries Association: http://www.cansia.ca/
International Energy Agency: http://www.iea.org/
Find Solar lets you know about various solar installation incentives in your country: http://www.findsolar.com
The American Solar Energy Society offers good information and resources: http://www.ases.org/
The British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association works to raise awareness about sustainable energy in British Columbia: http://www.bcsea.org/
Solar Ovens
Solar Cookers International: http://www.solarcookers.org/
Solar Oven Society: http://www.solarovens.org/
Sun Ovens International Inc: http://www.sunoven.com/
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