Solar Energy
Previously
Solar energy has traditionally been used in two main ways. The first use is of course as a heat source being that every living creature on the planet relies on the sun’s energy for life. The second, more recent use is the use of the sun as an energy source (Photovoltaic). In the 1970’s, stimulated by the 1973 oil crisis there was a sharp increase in the installation of solar panels which coupled with the introduction of government grants saw the successful practical application of photovoltaic technology. However, into the 1980’s with the end of the oil crisis, it was no longer a viable option to invest in photovoltaic’s as the price of fossil fuel energy production rendered it uncompetitive. However, into the twenty-first century, with the introduction of coherent feed-in tariff systems, the use of solar energy has become both economically viable and an effective means of combating climate change.
Photovoltaic (PV)
PV technology works by using solar cells or photovoltaic arrays to convert sunlight into electricity. Currently, the biggest market for this technology is Germany, where since the introduction of their feed-in tariff system the Erneuerbare Energien Gesetz (EEG) there has been a huge demand for PV technology. Elsewhere, the PV industry has grown by forty-eight per cent each year since 2002, making it by far the fastest growing energy technology. Projects closer to home such as the CIS Tower in Manchester have provided examples of large scale uses of grid connected solar installations which can be used to offset carbon emissions.
Historically, PV technology has been used to power spacecraft, in particular satellites but today the vast majority of this technology is used for the generation of power. There are a number of ways in which this can be applied. Firstly, PV technology has been applied to roof tiles whereby the entire roof space of a building can be utilized to harness the sun’s solar energy, turning it into electricity. This application, called Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) can be either grid connected or simply off grid. In Spain BIPV is proving increasingly popular as the Spanish government has made it a legal requirement for all new buildings to include photovoltaic technology.
On a larger scale, PV technology is being applied to generate power for large areas. An example of this is the Nellis Solar power plant, situated on the Nellis Air Force Base. There, a 14MW photovoltaic system supplies over 25 per cent of the base’s electricity needs, generating more than 25 million kilowatt hours annually. In Spain, the government has been equally proactive in harnessing their ample solar resources by establishing large grid connected solar power plants across the country. The largest of these, the Parque Fotovoltaico Olmedilla de Alarcon in the Castilla la Mancha region is a 60 MW plant and represents Spain’s growing commitment to PV generated electricity. With the recent news of next years introduction of a clean energy cash back system, the take up of photovoltaic technology is set to boom in the UK as it has done elsewhere.
Worldwide
Globally, with the gradual adoption of coherent environmental legislation in various countries, the development of PV technology will grow dramatically as it becomes more financially viable. Indeed, the expense of PV electricity production compared with traditional fossil fuel energy has been offset by different government schemes, perhaps the most significant of these being the feed-in tariff system. The UK government’s Energy Legislation of 2008 sets out provisions for the introduction of such tariffs by 2010 and will undoubtedly incentivise investment in PV technology just as it has done in countries such as Australia, Spain, Germany and the United States
