Solar Energy Power Generation across the Globe - Literature review Example

Solar Energy Power Generation across the Globe Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Introduction Just until recently, humans engaged in using energy from the sun for commercial purposes. Solar power is a term that is used to indicate the use of sun’s energy to conduct operations like cooking, warming houses and even for transportation purposes (Bugaje, 2006). The process of coming up with solar power is referred to as solar power generation and basically, involves a unique set of technologies whereby energy from the sun is tapped and stored in solar panels for future use in both homes and commercial areas. There has been a great level of campaign directed towards the adoption of solar energy in the modern world due to the fact that sun is an inexhaustible supply of solar energy. The solar energy technologies are considered to be more efficient; reliable and affordable to install and maintain (Bugaje, 2006). Most notably, the use of solar systems is deemed to be far much efficient since it does not result to any form of pollution in the course of operations; can be efficiently implemented in the remotest areas and, above all, it is a renewable source of energy. In fact, nowadays, there has been an expansive technology adopted for the purpose of converting solar radiant energy to electrical power that is in turn used for purposes of heating and cooling (Resch et al, 2008). Given the fact that human energy needs continues to increase over time while the capacity to utilise fossil fuel continues to diminish at an alarming rate, solar power is set to provide a viable option for meeting future demand. Types of Solar Energy Systems A. Photo-Voltaic Photovoltaic cells are designed for purposes of generating electrical power directly from the sunlight. These systems do not have moving parts and for most cases; require little or no level of maintenance activities (Resch et al, 2008). The current set of PV systems has the capacity of converting up to 20% of the overall sun energy into electrical power. It is important to note that most of PV systems are developed from an extensive series of photo-cells made up of thin layers of silicon as sun energy is made up of photons (Resch et al, 2008). The generation of electrical power occurs whenever these photons are impacted onto the silicon layers of a photo-cell that results to a bumps free electrons thereby producing electrical current. In most cases, photovoltaic systems can be easily broadened to produce the amount of electricity that is required for a given set of application and sometimes customised through the addition or even elimination of photo cells (Resch et al, 2008). Relatively smaller PV systems are used for purposes of powering stop lights, street lights or even small water pumps in very interior remotest places. Notably, solar arrays can be further used for purposes of providing extensive or rather commercial electrical needs like in the case of powering residential homes or even institutional facilities like hospitals and schools (Heide et al, 2010). PV systems can further use batteries to store the electrical power generated in the course of the day so that the energy can be utilised in the course of the night. For most cases, PV systems use the net metering model that facilitates electric meter to turn backwards in the event that there is a surplus of power whenever it is being generated. Presently, there are three types of PV systems that include; grid-connected; off-grid and hybrid system. The grid connected system is the most notable form of photovoltaic (PV) system that is adopted for use in both homes and businesses within the developed world economies. Under this system, possible connection to the local electricity network fosters any surplus power that is generated to be sold to a given utility (Heide et al, 2010). Electricity will then be transferred from the network external daylight hours. Certainly, inverters are used for purposes of converting the generated DC power to AC power so that it can be used by a normal electrical machine or equipment. In countries that experience premium feed-in-tariff that is mostly positioned higher than the normal paid tariffs by customers, the amount of electricity that is generated is thus fed directly onto the public grid and sold to the utility as a whole. This is basically the situation is such countries as Spain and Germany (Heide et al, 2010). The off-grid is another type of PV system that is fully independent of the grid set in place. For most cases, the system is directly linked to a battery through a charge controller that is tasked with the ability of string electricity produced and acts as the main power supply centre. Inverters are used to avail AC power, which facilitates the use of normal equipment. Most notably off-grid PV system applications can be seen in industrial applications like in the case of repeater stations for mobile phones as well as in the case of rural electrification. In this case, rural electrification is determined to be relatively smaller solar homes systems (SHS) that is able to cover the normal electricity needs or even solar mini grids that are mostly larger solar electricity systems, which provide electricity power for a countable number of residential homes (European Photovoltaic Industry Association, 2006). The hybrid PV system is when the solar system is easily integrated with other sources of power like a biomass generators or even diesel engines. This PV system can take the form of a grid or off-grid connection or even stand alone. Photovoltaic Technology The most notable components of a PV systems are the solar cells that form the fundamental building block of the entire unit that captures sunlight; the modules that incorporate extensive number of cells into a unit; and inverters, which are basically used for the purpose of converting electricity current produced into a suitable form that can be used in day-to-day use (European Photovoltaic Industry Association, 2006). PV Cells and Modules; are components that are generated from thick crystalline silicon, layered from ingots or even castings or even thin films that are deposited in subsequent layers on a low-cost backing. Thin film technologies of silicon is set to gain lots of share of PV market in the near future since it offers low material consumption; low weight and a relatively clear appearance. Crystalline Silicon: is the current fundamental component of PV modules since it is easily accessible and adopts a similar technological feature that is common with the overall electronics industry as a whole. Silicon has been able to attain a 20% efficiency mark in the course of generation process while the thicknesses of the solar cells are crucial areas for optimisation (European Photovoltaic Industry Association, 2006). Wafers, which are mostly thinner slices of silicon, form the immediate basis for crystalline solar cells. Certainly, these wafers have continued to be decreased in terms of their thickness from 0.24mm in 2005 to 0.15mm by the end of 2010 (European Photovoltaic Industry Association, 2006). Thin Film; are generated by way of depositing relatively thin layers of photosensitive materials on a low-cost backing element like glass. The model is mostly preferred since it results to lower cost related to production when compared to extensive material-intensive crystalline technologies (European Photovoltaic Industry Association, 2006).Today, there are more types of thin film modules that are commercially produced for this purpose and include; amorphous silicon, copper indium diselenide (CIS, CIGS) as well as other notable hybrid cells that consists of amorphous silicon. Inverters; are basically utilised for purposes of converting direct current (DC) power produced by a given photovoltaic generator into an alternating current (AC) compatible with local electricity distribution channels (European Photovoltaic Industry Association, 2006). They are offered in an extensive set of classes that range from few 100watts through to several kilowatts. B. Solar-Thermal This is a solar system type that is specifically designed for the purpose of concentrating the underlying sun’s energy and later converts it to thermal energy. A perfect example is when a roof mounted hot water tank is painted black for purpose of absorbing as much solar energy as possible to heat the water inside (Dakwale, Ralegaonkar, & Mandavgane, 2011). Another set of example is seen in parabolic mirrors that are able to produce heat that are, in turn, used for the production of steam from water reservoirs. Basically, solar thermal systems adopt a network of liquid filled tubes that are painted black for purposes of absorbing sunlight and sustain either water or a proper thermally-favourable liquid usually in form of ethylene glycol for purposes of carrying out the absorbed heat for its immediate application (Dakwale, Ralegaonkar, & Mandavgane, 2011). Nowadays, the model has been customised in order to achieve residential space heating needs by way of storing hot water produced in the course of the day in tanks. It is specially designed for purposes of releasing heat in the course of the night when there is no sunlight for conversion purposes. Sophisticated solar thermal systems can be formulated in ways that use extensive grids of mirrors or even lenses in order to concentrate the level of sun’s overall energy. The immediate solar energy that has been captured during the day is then utilised to directly heat water to steam or rather heat a carrier fluid like oil that is in circulation within a boiler for purposes of generating steam (Dakwale, Ralegaonkar, & Mandavgane, 2011). Consequently, the generated steam is then utilised for purpose of driving turbine systems and produce electricity or for other cases generate mechanical power using a steam engine system. These types of systems are completely visible in California and presently have the capacity to produce electricity at a cost that is insignificantly higher in comparison to fossil fuels. Advantages of Solar Power Energy PV and solar thermal energy systems offer an extensive set of advantage over any given simple energy delivery. These advantages are discussed as below; First, it is noted that solar-energy results to space-saving installation since PV is a mere low-risk form of technology that can be installed in any given place so long as it experiences sunlight (Chakraborty, Simões & Kramer, 2013). PV modules can further be used for purposes of developing a premises envelope thereby availing a great deal of protection from such calamities as wind and rain. Other notable areas for where PV can be installed include; sound barriers that are aligned along communication connections like motorways. Secondly, it is argued that solar power serves to protect the environment. PV and solar-thermal systems do not result to pollution of the environment that is currently being witnessed with other advanced technologies (Chakraborty, Simões & Kramer, 2013). In fact, the process of decommissioning a solar system does not pose any form of issues. Of great importance to note, within the environment, there are no emissions of carbon dioxide gases which are related to a high level of global climatic changes hence their commissioning is deemed safe to the environment at large. Subsequently, it is noted that solar power enables economic development of a country. Photovoltaic systems are able to provide an extensive set of social benefits in regards to job creation as well as rural growth and development (Chakraborty, Simões & Kramer, 2013). Job creation is mostly present within the installation points thereby boosting the economic activities of the local areas. Areas Where Solar Energy is Popular Germany; is the leading EU in solar energy generation as it overtook the USA in 2001 to achieve second position behind Japan on global scale. In 2005, its overall generation capacity stood at 1500MWp with another 700MWp installed in 2012 alone. The initiative behind this growth rests with the German Social Democrat/Green government Kyoto-led commitment that seek to decrease the current level of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 21% (Muneer, Asif & Kubie, 2003). USA: has continued to grow its overall PV industry since 1995 with such areas as Texas, California and Missouri being the largest beneficiaries of this expansion exercise. The current PV growth rate stands at 20% (Kalogirou, 2013). PV has attained a level of 470MWp with another 90MWp having been installed successfully in the period between 2004 and 2005. The industry is regulated and benefits from the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that continues to favour solar power generation in the country. Japan; is by far, the largest PV generation industry. The country’s efforts into solar power generation are highly attributed to the climate change policies of the country that seeks to reduce carbon-related gases (Kalogirou, 2013). The country also enjoys favourable policies that enhance and support R&D programmes aimed at improving solar power production over time. Conclusion To sum up the discussion, it can be noted that solar power generation is done in form of photovoltaic and solar-thermal systems. These systems technologies have continued to gain momentum in such countries as Germany, Japan and USA for purposes of protecting the environment; as well as meeting the immediate energy needs of their respective citizens. The aspect related to power generation is indeed a concept that has now been commercialised to provide power to different grid, off-grid and hybrid systems across the globe at a relatively cheaper price. In fact, it has been successfully noted that most of the countries engaging in solar power production for its needs are also focused on reducing the level of greenhouse gases emissions that is currently faced across the globe and thus, aligning their energy policies with the different climate change policies formulated in different UN summits. References Bugaje, I. M. (2006). Renewable energy for sustainable development in Africa: a review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 10(6), 603-612. Chakraborty, S., Simões, M. G., & Kramer, W. E. (2013). Power electronics for renewable and distributed energy systems. A Sourcebook of Topologies, Control and Integration, 235-265. Dakwale, V. A., Ralegaonkar, R. V., & Mandavgane, S. (2011). Improving environmental performance of building through increased energy efficiency: A review. Sustainable Cities and Society, 1(4), 211-218. European Photovoltaic Industry Association. (2006). Solar Generation: Solar Electricity for over 1B people. Greenpace. Retrieved from http://www.env-edu.gr/Documents/Solar%20Generation.pdf Heide, D., Von Bremen, L., Greiner, M., Hoffmann, C., Speckmann, M., & Bofinger, S. (2010). Seasonal optimal mix of wind and solar power in a future, highly renewable Europe. Renewable Energy, 35(11), 2483-2489. Kalogirou, S. A. (2013). Solar energy engineering: processes and systems. Academic Press. Muneer, T., Asif, M., & Kubie, J. (2003). Generation and transmission prospects for solar electricity: UK and global markets. Energy Conversion and Management, 44(1), 35-52. Resch, G., Held, A., Faber, T., Panzer, C., Toro, F., & Haas, R. (2008). Potentials and prospects for renewable energies at global scale. Energy Policy, 36(11), 4048-4056. Read More