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Solar power is the production of electricity from the sun's heat energy.
Solar energy can be harnessed through solar power systems in two ways:
directly with photovoltaic cells, also known as solar panels, or through
an indirect method of concentrating solar energy to heat steam which
is then used to distribute power in a standard turbine generator.
Solar power generators are also available to store and provide solar
energy on cloudy days and for use at night by containing an element,
like molten salts, to concentrate heat in thermal storage. Off-the-grid
solar power generators store solar power with rechargeable batteries.
Others use pumped-storage hydroelectricity to store the energy in
water, pumping it to release power and trigger the turbine. Solar
power is a form of alternative energy, meaning it is an alternative
to the unsound energy harvesting techniques energy companies implement
now. In addition, it is renewable, a term used to imply that solar
energy is available for billions of years and does not deplete with
consumption, unlike non-renewable resources, such as oil and coal.
These resources took millions of years to form and are used at a faster
rate than the Earth can replenish. Solar energy opens doors to clean
energy production, Earth and atmosphere restoration and a diverse
range of green business opportunities. |
Sun reflecting
against solar panels.
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| Around
the world, solar power is becoming increasingly popular and more affordable
as technology improves and investments soar. Since 2000, solar power
usage has increased 40% each year; if this trend continues, solar
energy could become the dominant energy source worldwide before the
end of the century. The United States possesses the largest solar
power plant in the world, the 9-unit 354 MW Solar Energy Generators,
which use concentrating solar energy, located in southern California's
Mojave Desert. Furthermore, Spain is home to several of these large
plants, too, the largest producing 50 MW outside of Granada, Spain.
Germany and Portugal built the two largest photovoltaic cell based
stations in 2008, with 46 MW and 40 MW power capabilities. Currently,
much larger station proposals are surfacing in the U.S. for the near
future, such as a 100 MW solar farm in Fort Peck, Montana; a 550 MW
farm in California's Central Valley; and a 600 MW farm in Rancho Cielo,
New Mexico. This rapidly expanding industry is a technology investment
supported by ecologists and economists everywhere. |
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Solar energy was once expensive and inefficiently attained. However,
the last ten years have yielded a more cost effective production in
harvesting energy, as well as government-sponsored incentive for the
use of the clean energy. For example, the cost of photovoltaic cells
has decreased significantly since cheaper insulation has been implemented,
and plastics are replacing originally metallic parts. In the U.S.,
cash grants and municipal solar financing is available to homeowners.
As of 2009, the cash grant offer was extended to be available for
the following eight years; they also no longer have a $2,000 capped
value, but instead can extend up to 30% of the total cost of installation.
Moreover, in some cities, like Berkeley, California, additional tax
write-offs are available to residents who invest in solar energy for
their homes. Across the country, the government will help those who
have solar power systems to receive a federal solar tax credit for
homeowners who finance their systems and generators through their
property taxes. |
Solar panel on grass.
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| Furthermore,
other countries, like Canada, allow residence to sell excess solar
energy harvested back to certain cities' power grids - giving homeowners
the opportunity to make a little money back. Commercial investors
can install solar power systems for free with agreement to a long-term
power purchase agreement. Another option is for homeowners and businesses
to go off the grid completely and run solely on the electricity produced
from their photovoltaic cells and rechargeable batteries where the
solar energy is stored for nights and cloudy weather. The annual International
Conference on Solar Photovoltaic Investments published findings that
they believe photovoltaic cells are firm investments with systems
lasting from 25 to 40 years, and an investment payback accumulated
in a range of 8 to 12 years.
Investing in
solar energy and solar power generation is a great way to break
into the green bubble and capitalize on alternative energy. As solar
energy is a global commodity, solar power systems have the potential
to become a worldwide provider. Though not all climates allow for
cost effective solar production, as the technology improves, the
costs reduce and the systems become more widely available. In addition,
storage methods are increasing in efficiency, so future seasonal
solar harvesting may be feasible. Whether for the love of the environment
or the economy, green and clean solar energy is one component of
the alternative energy future.
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