Solar Power – Part 1
So, for those solar newbies out there, you might be asking yourselves: so what is solar power exactly? Solar power is quite simply the generation of electricity from sunlight. This is done in one of two ways, directly with photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly by concentrating solar power (CSP). The latter consists of focusing the sun’s energy to boil water which is subsequently used to provide power.
In 2008, solar power had the potential to provide over 1,000 times the total world energy consumption in 2008; however it only provided for only 0.02% of the total that year. Numbers are growing steadily, though and it it continues to double in use every two to three years, solar power would become the dominant energy source this century.
Though solar power is clearly not available at all times, we can predict with a fairly strong degree of accuracy when it will and will not be available. Certain of the intermittent solar technologies – such as the solar thermal concentrators – have an element of thermal storage. In the case of thermal concentrators, molten salts store excess solar energy in the form of heat which can be made available during periods that solar power is not available to produce electricity. Another technology – orbital solar power such as solar power satellites – doesn’t have to deal with intermittent issues, but it does require satellite launching / beaming of the power to receiving antennas back on Earth.
There are many exciting applications of solar power.
Remember those solar-powered calculators? They use a single solar cell photovoltaics (PV) to get their juice. Now, with today’s technology, an array of much larger photovoltaics power off-grid homes.
Though solar power plants can face rather high installation costs, the costs of said installation are steadily decreasing as we get a handle of its learning curve. Another exciting development of solar power is the replacement of traditional power plants with solar power plants, which is currently happening in developing countries. There exists in Germany, a combined power plant that usings a mix of wind, water, biomass and solar power to produce 100% renewable energy.
Patrice Will has authored many posts on technical as well as practical matters, including How to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, and Where to find antique buckles.