Renewable Energy Sources - Part 5 - Solar

by Darren

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This is the last post in our renewable energy sources. This time we take a look at Solar energy. Solar energy has long been an intriguing idea for man, seeing as how the Sun is the center of our galaxy, and is a source of immense, and seemingly inexhaustible power.

The term “solar energy” means energy from the Sun that is stored in usable form by a process called photovoltaics. The application of Solar energy is already widespread, because the Sun has been considered in architectural and construction issues since the very beginning. Since the Sun has always been essential to mankind’s survival, it’s one resource that has undergone much research.

The Advantages of Solar Energy

1) Solar technology is noiseless. Unlike other renewable energy sources we’ve looked at, solar energy panels don’t make noise.
2) Solar energy is sustainable. You can store Solar energy, without hurting the Sun in anyway. When you wake up the next day, the Sun will still be there.
3) Solar energy is clean energy, producing no greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy does not have a negative impact on global warming.
4) Solar energy is free. Yes, you’ll have to spend money to purchase equipment to store the energy, but the cost of the energy itself is totally free.
5) Solar energy reduces the dependence on foreign oil

The Disadvantages of Solar Energy

1) Solar energy tends to be expensive, due to the initial investment in equipment.
2) Solar energy doesn’t work at night.
3) Some areas are not well suited to Solar energy due to being cloudy or overcast.
4) Solar panels tend to take up a lot of room, and installations are ineffective in many cases.

Solar energy has been gaining in popularity. However, some homeowner’s groups won’t even allow solar energy panels to be installed, so it’s up to cities and local governments to implement many changes to their bureaucracy.

The growth of solar takes careful planning, like that currently happening in Ontario. A number of Canadian companies have been studying the feasability of using exclusive solar power in Ontario, despite that province having many gray days. They’ve determined that the size of the solar installation is the key component to their success.

“Considering our sun, the minimum size where solar can break even is one megawatt,” says Sidhu. “The cost to produce energy per kilowatt hour is almost half as efficient as in a place like California.”

One thing the folks in Ontario are working on is a way for homeowners with solar panels to pump excess energy back into a central grid. This energy could theoretically be stored, or sold to others to help reduce the cost of equipment. With enough success, this type of plan could be replicated in many less sunny places, ensuring the growth of solar energy.

Solar energy is quickly becoming ready for prime time. There’s a growing interest in the technology from both the private and public sectors, and the underlying technology is quickly improving. Depending on how fast certain centralized grids can be developed, the growth of solar energy could achieve a boom period. In Germany and other countries, solar power has become increasingly important.

Continued from Renewable Energy Sources - Part 4 - Wind. Or you can start at the beginning: Renewable Energy Sources - Part One - Biomass

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