Portable Solar Power Blog
The Solar Energy Breakthrough Everyone Missed
by Rick ChapoWhen it comes to breaking our oil addiction, solar energy is
often sited as a perfect renewable energy platform. There are
problems with it from a cost perspective, but there is light at
the end of the tunnel.
The Solar Energy Breakthrough Everyone Missed
There is little doubt we have a looming energy problem in the
world. While gas prices may seem high now, things look
particularly grim over the next 60 years. Oil exploration is at
an all time low while at the same time emerging economies such
as China and India increase the demand on existing supplies.
Throw in population growth of approximately another 3.5 billion
people over the next 50 years and we are definitely staring down
the wrong end of a energy shotgun. Of course, this doesn't even
begin to account for global warming issues.
To get off fossil fuels, most are pointing to renewable energy
sources. These platforms run the gamut from wind turbines to
tidal farms in the ocean to solar energy and beyond. Of these,
solar is probably the best known, but most problematic. At
least, that was the case till 2006.
Solar power is a wonderful thing. It is clean in all senses of
the word. The power source, the sun, is free and should be
around for a few billion years. In fact, the sun bathes the
Earth with enough energy in one day to meet our world wide power
needs for a year. That being said, solar has always been
handicapped by one thing. We cannot harness the power of the
sun.
Solar panel systems work by using sunlight to stimulate a
chemical process in silicone cells. While a novel concept in the
1950s, the system never has been efficient. In the 60s, a solar
cell converted about four percent of energy in sunlight to
usable power. Today, most systems are about 12 percent efficient
at best. This lack of efficiency has led to a serious problem.
You need a large number of cells covering a large area to gather
enough energy to power a home, town or city. Economically, the
process just is not feasible when compared to most other energy
platforms. As you might imagine, most solar energy research is
devoted to figuring out ways to convert the sunlight more
efficiently.
In 2006, a stunning breakthrough was made in solar cell
efficiency. In joint research with the Department of Defense,
Spectrolab, Inc., produce a solar cell that converts more than
40 percent of the sunlight into energy. If you don't think we
have an energy problem, consider the fact that Spectrolab is a
subsidiary of Boeing. Boeing and the Department of Defense
working on solar energy? Yes, we have a looming energy problem.
Regardless, the new solar cell approaches the conversion process
from a new angle. The idea is to build a multilayer cell. Each
layer of the cell is designed to catch the energy in one
spectrum of the sunlight and let the others pass through. While
it may sound simple, the process is very complex. Regardless,
the defense industry...err Spectrolab...pulled it off.
With a 40.7 percent efficiency, we are talking about a three
fold increase for these cells. This equates to a much smaller
number of cells and corresponding space being needed for solar
energy platforms. This, of course, lowers the cost of systems.
Is it enough to make solar competitive without government
subsidies? No one is sure yet, but it might be. More
importantly, Spectrolab believes the efficiency can be improved
more as further research is done on the cell.
With such a major breakthrough, it is to bad nobody noticed!
About the author:
Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com - a directory of solar energy companies.
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1 comment:
MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION –R11
In order to insure energy and economic independence as well as better economic growth without being blackmailed by foreign countries, our country, the United States of America’s Utilization of Energy sources must change.
"Energy drives our entire economy." We must protect it. "Let's face it, without energy the whole economy and economic society we have set up would come to a halt. So you want to have control over such an important resource that you need for your society and your economy." The American way of life is not negotiable.
Our continued dependence on fossil fuels could and will lead to catastrophic consequences.
The federal, state and local government should implement a mandatory renewable energy installation program for residential and commercial property on new construction and remodeling projects with the use of energy efficient material, mechanical systems, appliances, lighting, etc. The source of energy must by renewable energy such as Solar-Photovoltaic, Geothermal, Wind, Biofuels, Ocean-Tidal, etc. including utilizing water from lakes, rivers and oceans to circulate in cooling towers to produce air conditioning and the utilization of proper landscaping to reduce energy consumption. (Sales tax on renewable energy products should be reduced or eliminated)
The implementation of mandatory renewable energy could be done on a gradual scale over the next 10 years. At the end of the 10 year period all construction and energy use in the structures throughout the United States must be 100% powered by renewable energy. (This can be done by amending building code)
In addition, the governments must impose laws, rules and regulations whereby the utility companies must comply with a fair “NET METERING” (the buying of excess generation from the consumer at market price), including the promotion of research and production of “renewable energy technology” with various long term incentives and grants. The various foundations in existence should be used to contribute to this cause.
A mandatory time table should also be established for the automobile industry to gradually produce an automobile powered by renewable energy. The American automobile industry is surely capable of accomplishing this task. As an inducement to buy hybrid automobiles (sales tax should be reduced or eliminated on American manufactured automobiles).
This is a way to expedite our energy independence and economic growth. (This will also create a substantial amount of new jobs). It will take maximum effort and a relentless pursuit of the private, commercial and industrial government sectors commitment to renewable energy – energy generation (wind, solar, hydro, biofuels, geothermal, energy storage (fuel cells, advance batteries), energy infrastructure (management, transmission) and energy efficiency (lighting, sensors, automation, conservation) (rainwater harvesting, water conservation) (energy and natural resources conservation) in order to achieve our energy independence.
"To succeed, you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality."
Jay Draiman, Energy Consultant
Northridge, CA. 91325
Jan. 30, 2007
P.S. I have a very deep belief in America's capabilities. Within the next 10 years we can accomplish our energy independence, if we as a nation truly set our goals to accomplish this.
I happen to believe that we can do it. In another crisis--the one in 1942--President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this country would build 60,000 [50,000] military aircraft. By 1943, production in that program had reached 125,000 aircraft annually. They did it then. We can do it now.
The American people resilience and determination to retain the way of life is unconquerable and we as a nation will succeed in this endeavor of Energy Independence.
Solar energy is the source of all energy on the earth (excepting volcanic geothermal). Wind, wave and fossil fuels all get their energy from the sun. Fossil fuels are only a battery which will eventually run out. The sooner we can exploit all forms of Solar energy (cost effectively or not against dubiously cheap FFs) the better off we will all be. If the battery runs out first, the survivors will all be living like in the 18th century again.
Every new home built should come with a solar package. A 1.5 kW per bedroom is a good rule of thumb. The formula 1.5 X's 5 hrs per day X's 30 days will produce about 225 kWh per bedroom monthly. This peak production period will offset 17 to 2
4 cents per kWh with a potential of $160 per month or about $60,000 over the 30-year mortgage period for a three-bedroom home. It is economically feasible at the current energy price and the interest portion of the loan is deductible. Why not?
Title 24 has been mandated forcing developers to build energy efficient homes. Their bull-headedness put them in that position and now they see that Title 24 works with little added cost. Solar should also be mandated and if the developer designs a home that solar is impossible to do then they should pay an equivalent mitigation fee allowing others to put solar on in place of their negligence. (Installation should be paid “performance based”)
Installation of renewable energy and its performance should be paid to the installer and manufacturer based on "performance based" (that means they are held accountable for the performance of the product - that includes the automobile industry). This will gain the trust and confidence of the end-user to proceed with such a project; it will also prove to the public that it is a viable avenue of energy conservation.
Installing renewable energy system on your home or business increases the value of the property and provides a marketing advantage.
Nations of the world should unite and join together in a cohesive effort to develop and implement MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY for the sake of humankind and future generations.
Jay Draiman
Northridge, CA 91325
Email: renewableenergy2@msn.com
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