Solar energy has kept our species alive for thousands of years: warmth, light, and crops. However, harnessing this energy to generate electricity is, relatively, a very recent development. As the Royal Society of Chemistry says, “The amount of energy reaching the Earth’s surface every hour would meet the world’s current energy demands for an entire year… we no longer need to gamble the lifestyles of future generations”. In addition, the technology is constantly being improved and refined. But how, specifically, will solar power be of benefit in our lives and those of the next generations worldwide?
Personal benefits
There is no denying that the personal advantages are important, especially in tough economic times. Solar currently offers several financial and other pros that will become even more significant over time:
We are not at the mercy of the national power grid and power outages and we can become independent in terms of power
While installing solar initially carries costs, we will save on utility bills from month 1
In some regions and countries one can feed energy into the grid and receive credits
Having solar increases the value of our properties
Maintenance costs are very low
In some countries one can ‘farm’ solar and be paid for the electricity generated.
In other words, solar protects shrinking incomes, eases strained budgets, improves the value of assets, and fosters independence. In the not-too-distant future this may be of greater value than now. Furthermore, in our increasingly interconnected world some of these personal benefits are also inevitably good for the community and area around us.
Broader and general advantages
The most obvious pros of solar energy, as we at Solar Action Alliance point out, are that is that it is abundant, sustainable, free, secure, and reliable. Even in less sunny countries such as the United Kingdom there is enough energy in the rays that reach the surface to generate electricity. However, sunny locations such as California, are ideal for solar.
Just as individual households or businesses can achieve independence in relation to power supply, communities and towns can do the same with whole communities living off-grid and being self-sufficient. In a world of limited and strained resources this is a huge advantage… and one that will be increasing important in the future.
Small, rural, and / or less affluent communities, no matter how remote, will not have to rely on big energy suppliers and their infrastructures or wait a long time for services to reach them. Solar kits can reach any community and be fitted to homes, schools, clinics, and so on.
The fact that solar panels and systems are now available in various sizes, shapes, and thicknesses also makes them far more versatile in terms of applications and where they can be used. New applications are constantly being found and installations being made. There is no reason to believe the future ones will not be even more exciting and liberating.
Global benefits
Given that many of us have joined the solar family because we care about our planet and our future, the global benefits of this form of energy are paramount… and they are substantial!
Firstly, unlike fossil fuels, solar energy does not produce any greenhouse gasses and no CO2, toxins, or carcinogens of any kind are released into the air. Given the severity of air pollution in many parts of the globe solar energy offers us a future of much cleaner air. This makes it a very clean form of energy that will improve the quality of air in the decades to come. With the absence of greenhouse gas emissions comes the fact that solar does not contribute to climate change.
It may sound unlikely, but solar powered cars, planes, trains, and boats are already in use and / or under development. They will all have important effects as these clean and silent modes of transport will replace the fossil fuel reliant, emission producing, and noisy transport modes we have at present.
Unlike so many technological advances and developments solar energy offers huge benefits to rural and undeveloped regions and countries. As solar initiatives are rolled out in the future the advantages will become increasingly marked. Some of the current projects listed by organizations such as Solar Electric Light Fund include:
The broader solar energy industry generates jobs in both urban and rural areas
In rural areas the availability of light indoors and at night allows for informal, communal, and home industries to operate
Literacy levels increase and young people do better with their studies if they have extended hours of light in which to read and study
Solar will see the arrival of modes of communication not previously enjoyed such as television and Internet
Water can be pumped, filtered, and heated using solar
Power from solar will provide light and heat and replace the candles and kerosene lamps and heating units previously used that give off noxious fumes and present fire hazards.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF SOLAR POWER ON WATER?
Solar power is without question one of the leading green energy sources as the world moves increasingly away from fossil fuels. Solar has justifiably been greeted as truly sustainable, clean, and increasingly efficient and cost effective. However, even solar energy can’t claim to have 100% environmentally free credentials. One area in which this form of power impacts on the environment is in terms of water.
Solar panel production and the impact on water
To begin at the beginning, the production of solar panels is no different to any other production processes: water plays a role in producing certain components such as the production of photovoltaic units.
However, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, while solar uses less water, the chemicals used in the manufacturing process are caustic and toxic. There is always the risk of some kind of spill which could result in these chemicals leeching into the soil and contaminating ground water. To be fair, that is a risk that is not unique to solar panel manufacturers.
The effect of domestic or small-scale solar power usage
Photovoltaic solar power such as the panels installed on the roof of a home use no water at all in order to generate electricity. The only water that is used at all is if the panels themselves need to be washed so that their efficiency is improved. That’s it!
The implications for water resources of solar and solar-thermal plants
It is in terms of large solar power facilities that the impact on water becomes more significant and of greater concern in terms of the green credentials of solar. The Solar Energy Development Programmatic IES points out several important areas of concern when it comes to these plants:
*The biggest single issue with the plants themselves appears to be the use of significant amounts of water for cooling purposes. Solar plants are often constructed in arid areas and place great strains on what are already limited local or regional water resources. Some “wet cooling” plants use more water per unit of electricity produced than a conventional fossil fuel plant!
*There is the risk of contamination and pollution of ground and surface water sources from spills and airborne chemicals such as dust suppressants. Fairly large amounts of water are also needed to keep receivers, concentrators (mirrors, panels, etc.) clean.
To offset this less rosy view, one does well to remember that photovoltaic power plants consume only one hundredth of the volume of water used by fossil fuel plants for day-to-day operations! In addition, there are potential solutions for the problems.
Possible solutions to reduce the impact on water resources of solar plants
As is so often the case, there are broadly two options when it comes to reducing the impact solar has on water: improve or modify existing technologies or develop new ones. In terms of solar power plants there are developments in both areas.
For the large plants there is a growing move towards more efficient wet or water cooling systems and technology. In addition, research and development is underway in terms of dry cooling and also wet-recirculating systems and cooling towers. While these reduce water consumption dramatically, the down sides are a loss of efficiency in terms of megawatt per hour production and increased production costs.
The unknown: the impact of the disposal of damaged or decommissioned panels
There is no disagreement that many photovoltaic cells, especially thin-film cells, contain a cocktail of hazardous chemicals. While the cell is healthy and in use it poses no risk at all. However, solar power is still in its infancy and the cells and panels that were made and sold in the 1970’s are still in use. What will happen when cells are damaged and old? How will they be recycled or disposed of? These concerns are also expressed by The Solar Action Alliance.
In order to prevent these chemicals getting into the water, soil, and air, we need to come up with suitable and safe disposal mechanisms. There is fortunately an added incentive for producers to look into this, though: several of the materials in cells are rare or valuable so they need to be recovered. This should encourage the investigation of recycling and safe disposal.
SOLAR POWER FOR BOATS: BASICS THAT BOATERS NEED TO KNOW
Electric boats are certainly not new; the first one was invented by a German in Russia as early as 1839. However, using solar panels to keep on-board batteries at full or optimal charge is a pretty recent development that is becoming increasingly popular with owners of yachts, sailboats, boats, houseboats, and even dinghies. The technology is getting more refined with each year too and costs have come down significantly.
Why change to solar?
If one asks boat owners what one of the biggest problems they have is, the chances are that the majority will say, “Keeping the batteries charged”. Even if it is just a day trip the demands placed on the batteries are high; refrigeration, lights, and VHF head the list and – between them – may be enough to drain the battery.
Partially recharging a battery is not good for it as it may only charge up to 85%. Some remain as low as 50% which is a very long way from the 100% state of charge that the battery actually needs. According to a writer with MarineHowTo.com, “Batteries like to be topped up to 100% as often as possible. When batteries are not topped up sulfation forms on the battery plates and they begin to suffer and die”. Solar means fully charged and healthy batteries.
One could stick with practices used by boaters for years in order to top up the charge on the battery. Firstly, one can run the engine a couple of times a day but that’s not ideal for obvious reasons. One could also turn off bilge pumps and all unnecessary lights etc. However, that’s not desirable and can even be unsafe. Solar seems the way to go.
Advantages offered by solar
As The Solar Action Alliance states, solar is quite simply the best “clean, reliable, and abundant source of renewable energy”. In addition, it is:
* Healthy, charged batteries
* Reduced costs
* Energy independence
* Eco-friendly and silent power.
Types of solar panels for boats
Once one has decided on solar for one’s boat the next decisions focus on panel type and where to have the panels mounted. There are several common types of panels on the market today and the distinctions in some cases have to do with manufacturing methods and composition. The primary ones are monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and flexible thin-film solar cells. Each of these is further subdivided into types and all have advantages and disadvantages.
Most boaters are less interested in what’s in the panel than in how it works, mounting panels, having the system installed, and having enough panels to cover the boat’s power requirements. It’s a good idea to speak to an expert for advice if there is doubt or uncertainty.
How to work out the size solar panel required
In terms of the size and number of panels needed to cover power requirements, sources such as eMarine Systems provide most helpful guidelines and formulae. For instance:
* If one wants to be self sufficient then the solar panel’s provision should exceed basic power requirements by 20%.
* In order to calculate what one needs, one must work out how many amps each light, pump, etc. on the boat uses per day. To get watts, multiply the amps by 12. Add all these subtotals together. Once one has the grand total of watts per day, divide the figure by the number of hours of sun per day to get to the wattage needed from the panels.
Solar installation
There is now an impressive range of installation options thanks to the various types of panels including the highly flexible panels. There are walk-on applications that are fitted directly into the deck. These are very rugged and hardy and, importantly, non slip. The flexible and semi-flexible panels can be installed directly onto canvas surfaces such as dodgers and biminis. There are also panels that are ideal for installation on rails and davits.
While one can save money buying items on the internet, it does not pay to take short cuts in terms of the system the panels are linked to. A charge controller is necessary and the wiring and mounting must be done properly. Care should be taken to house all the components in water resistant housing. The wires themselves should be marine grade. It is worth the money to invest in a good quality charge controller with settings for wet cell or gel batteries; cutting corners here could cost plenty later.
Solar Trends Expected To Affect Fort Worth, TX
Before going into details of the topic, take a moment to envision a future where Fort Worth TX has adopted a narrowly focused solar plan and grown to be considered the “Vegas of Solar”. Not completely out of mind, I know.
It is now a known fact that popularity of Fort Worth solar panels has recently skyrocketed its focus on Solar energy, with several of the top solar companies in US being located there. With companies such as Global Efficient Energy and Texas’ Nr.1 company AUI Contractors employing over 250 people each, Fort Worth’s focus has clearly shifted towards developing this industry for its economy.
In addition, hefty incentives from the Texas state join other federal incentives, that remain from President Obama’s administration, to make installing solar systems 50% cheaper in Fort Worth, TX.
But what should residents of Fort Worth expect to see in the future, given current trends?
Despite seasonality hindering forecasts and causing an oversupply last year and decreasing prices making profits suffer, global megawatt (DC) production is expected to keep increasing to record numbers.
The Solar industry world has seen favorable conditions recently with procurement and construction pricing, along with utility fixed-tilt PV system turnkey engineering, expected to plummet the price to below $1.00 per watt (DC).
With 55% of next year’s installation expected to be consumer-owned, there is a bold trend of people preferring to purchase than lease. Due to feasible reasons, consumer ownership of solar installations is expected to soon outpace third-party ownership, and the population of Fort Worth TX should be considering the same.
Solar industry is employing more people than oil, coal and gas combined, according to The Independent, and that’s a strong enough reason to adapt a city’s economic focus toward a more Solar-Friendly environment
The industry is growing at a rapid speed, with a 97% growth recorded in 2016 according to a research conducted by Solar Energy Industries Association. Such growth is a gold mine for visionary and risk-taking people.
Solar Industry is playing a big role in making rural areas more efficient. No other industry utilizes rural lands and helps them grow as much as Solar, mainly because of the irrelevance of location for this industry.
All is not great in the Solar energy, however, as recent demand has shown signs of contraction. Demand has forced prices to drop by as much as 30%, making it unsurprising to see a Solar manufacturing shake out soon, with several firms going bankrupt.
Last but not least, there are major regulatory uncertainties at this point in United States. President Donald Trump has openly called to switch focus back to coal mining, and is thus widely expected to suspend Solar funding on a federal level, in addition to rescinding the Obama Administration’s Climate Action Plan. Things could get quite messy soon.
When it comes to setbacks in this industry, the main players should rather focus on the demand contraction risk that they are facing. If federal funding is rescinded, most states have already established investment plans in this particular industry, and even have target metrics of how much of their energy consumption will be renewable energy in the upcoming years.
Demand however, is the main success factor that this industry needs to survive and succeed.
The positive points far outweigh the negatives, anyway. With decreasing prices, increasing performance of solar energy and overall healthy development of the industry, Solar Renewable energy remains one of most feasible industries to invest on, both financial and personal development wise.
Looking At The Rise Of Solar Power In Germany
Germany is one of the leading countries to have used photovoltaics, exclusively. According to Frondel et. al. (2008), solar energy accounts for 6.2% to 6.9% of the country’s net electricity generation. This is the reason why Germany is dubbed as the number one PV installer in the world which amounted to 39,484 MW during the third quarter of 2015.
Image courtesy of GEOSOL Gesellschaft für Solaranergie mbH at Wikimedia Commons.
Most of the photovoltaic systems in Germany are installed as small rooftop systems for small to medium scale users. Moreover, the country also has large solar parks that contribute to the production of 35.2 terawatt hours. The country also has a goal of reaching 35% of its share of renewal energy by the end of the decade.
Feed-in Tariff in Germany
Germany has invested in renewable sources of energy and this is the reason why the country offers good feed-in tariffs. Feed-in tariffs are policies designed to accelerate the investment on technologies that center on renewable energy. This policy mechanism gives long-term security for products related to renewable energy. While people who harness wind power are given lower per kilo watt hour price, people who use solar energy are offered a higher price which encourages people to install solar panel systems on their roofs. According to Dr. Matthias Lang (2015), the average installation cost of PV in Germany has fallen to €1 to €2 per watt from €5. Small installations can also take advantage of feed-in tariffs such that people can get up to 500 kWh for a small PV system.
The Boom of Solar Power
According to Schmidt et. al. (2001), the boom of the use of solar energy in Germany is contributed by the feed-in tariff schemes based on the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) of 2000. Since this law was passed, the share of renewable energy in the country has increased to 14%.
Since solar power energy does not have any competitors, this industry received the highest support among all renewable energy sources used in Germany. Moreover, the amended EEG in 2004 also awarded compensation granted for solar electricity; thus increasing the number of installed systems within the year. For instance, there were 172,810 PV systems installed in 2005 which substantially rose to 233,557 in 2006 (Frondel et. al, 2008).
Aside from the large feed-in tariffs, the boom of solar energy in Germany is also fueled by the introduction of the amended EEG in 2004 which indicated incentives for producers to improve the efficacy of harnessing technologies.
In fact, the annual growth of PV cells in Germany was at its highest between 2005 and 2006 to as much as 1.18 billion watts. This accounts for 20% of the country’s total amount of green electricity.
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Impacts of Solar Energy Promotion in Germany
The outcome of using renewable sources of energy like solar power in Germany is tremendously positive. It reduces the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the electricity sector. As a result, cheaper abatement options became available.
Another benefit of the rise of solar energy in Germany is the creation of jobs. According to the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety, about 17,400 individuals were employed in the solar energy sector in 2004. Unfortunately, it isn’t clear if the rise of the manpower needs of the solar energy sector is responsible for the declining manpower of other sectors. One thing is for sure though and that is the solar energy sector will continue to be favorable in Germany such that it will create more than 56,000 jobs until 2020 (Wirth, 2015).
The solar power sector also influenced the creation of policies that provided large subsidies for solar energy. The subsidies made it possible for other people to take advantage of solar energy. However, experts noted that Germany should also focus on improving the technological efficiencies of solar energy by supporting and intensifying its research and development. Funding the research and development provides an avenue for the solar energy sector to achieve initial substantial costs which translates to long-term reduction of price.
While Germany aims to be the top in the world in terms of solar energy production, the prices of solar panels have remained high due to its limited domestic supply unlike in Japan and the United States. This indicates that as long as Germany is able to double its production of solar panels, it will be able to improve its price even more.
Germany is one of the leading countries in the world to implement solar power energy in its establishments. This adoption of renewable energy provides a lot of green incentives to Germans and it is high time that other countries should adopt it too.
*Image courtesy of Jeroen Komen at Wikimedia Commons.
Before going into details of the topic, take a moment to envision a future where Fort Worth TX has adopted a narrowly focused solar plan and grown to be considered the “Vegas of Solar”. Not completely out of mind, I know.
When it comes to setbacks in this industry, the main players should rather focus on the demand contraction risk that they are facing. If federal funding is rescinded, most states have already established investment plans in this particular industry, and even have target metrics of how much of their energy consumption will be renewable energy in the upcoming years.
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