Most people are well aware of importance home backup generators and battery in case of problems like power outages. Which one to buy? Should solar panels be considered when picking one? – are the two questions that pops up in a homeowner’s mind. So, to help you make the right decision some questions have been answered for you better understanding.
Month: May 2015
There are about 37.5 million miles (60 million kilometers) of roads in the world that are used for nothing other than road transport. However, adapting these expensive surfaces for other things such as to harness solar energy has proven to be quite expensive and difficult. Some of the past attempts include converting vibrations on busy roadways into electricity. However, this unique innovation is only economically viable on some of the busiest roads which account for a very small fraction of the world’s vast road network.
Another technology captures and stores the heat energy on roads during summer and supply it trough roads during the cold weather in order to keep roads free from ice. Japan has even established a working test patch of this technology in Hiroshima.
The unique idea that has gained massive popularity and traction in the recent past is embedding solar cells on the roads. The Solar Roadways project was launched by an American couple in 2014 and it managed to collect more than $2 million on Indiegogo which is a crowdfunding site.
However, the Consortium SolaRoad which is based in Netherlands is closer to reality because it has been operating a 230 foot (70 meter) cycle path that can generate enough electricity for at least two households. This unique system was up and running by November 2014 and the field testing results over a period of six months are positive. The project has actually been generating more electricity than had been predicted in the SolaRoad laboratories.
How does this principle work?
The system uses photovoltaic cells are supported by concrete and rubber at the bottom and protected by strong glass on the top. Besides letting light through, the glass has properties that are similar to concrete or asphalt; it is glare free, skid resistant and very durable. These units are connected to a central system that generates electricity and feeds it to the grid. SolaRoad claims that even a 12 ton truck could ride safely over the road. However, the company has only tested 150,000 cycles so far. Although the road has some minor chippings, the project has continued to work smoothly without any major shortcomings. Therefore, the next step is to use the system in highways or more roads in local councils.
The economic case for SolaRoad’s business is the main reason why it stands out from competitors. The four companies that are involved in the consortium project complement each other very well.
- TNO: This is the main research center for the project.
- Ooms Civiel: The company is mainly involved in the construction of roads.
- Imtech: These are experts in electrical integration.
- Province of Noord-Holland: They support the project as future customers
The steady increase in the level of energy prices the last few decades has ignited the search for cheap and reliable sources for home and business owners. There is no better approach to this than renewable or “green” power system as most people would like to call it. Solar panels are the most popular and according to a recent report by MIT, stakeholders are pushing for a massive global expansion of solar power to limit the harsh climate impact of fossil fuels, which is necessary by 2050.
Greenhouse gas emissions are dangerous to both “man” and the environment; this is enough reason why it is important that clean energy be utilized to avoid the worse from happening. To reach the required capacity for efficient and abundant solar power, the U.S. will have to increase the current solar power generation of 20gigawatts up to 400 gigawatts, which according to the deputy director MIT Energy Initiative, Robert Stoner, will be enough to sustain eighty million homes.
Unless the solar industry is supported fully through funding and incentives, the goal of increasing the generation capacity may be unfeasible. The industry currently ensures that these incentives are in place, for example; scrapping off the standards for utilities when it comes to renewable power generation by shifting the renewable portfolio standards, including the act of directly subsidizing solar energy generation instead of tax credits. These renewable portfolio standards comprise the requirements to be imposed on states mandating that a certain % of their energy come from renewables.
“The Future Of Solar Energy” further states that there is need for new solar energy storage technology, as well as smart power-grid management and latest designs in solar panels; as discussions for new funding options are ongoing.
There is no doubt about the current boom in solar energy. Statistics show that the cost of installation has gone down, and is expected to fall further in future as people continue to embrace the solar option. Since 2010, photovoltaic installation cost has decreased by almost 55%, and employment in the industry rose by 22% in 2014 with U.S. solar projects rising to 140% the previous year. However, the current fear in the solar industry lies with the Congress waiting to see if it will renew the Solar Investment Tax Credit (a federal solar subsidy) due to expire in 2016.
For solar energy to be sufficient in the U.S, state support for the course is essential. Tax credits motivate different stakeholders in the solar industry which will enable them add capacity from the initial power generation. Comparing residential rooftop solar to a utility scale power plant, residential rooftop is about 80% greater in cost-per-watt than the utility-scale; this is according to the MIT report. Apart from downplaying the cost of effectiveness of the rooftop solar, this report recommends Solar City for most states because they help homeowners operate the panels.
Solar power needs Washington’s help to make it a success; this is according to the report, but the solar industry has come forward to disagree with the tactics suggested by this study. Ken Johnson, Vice President of Solar Energy Industry Association is on record having said that the study provides incomplete and flawed picture of solar economics; especially when dealing with tax credits and residential rooftop solar, which have today proven that the two are critical incentives building almost every solar installations in many parts of the United States.
