Solar Energy

The amount of solar energy incident on the earth each year is vast; in fact it is more than 173,000 TW. Or expressed another way, it is the equivalent of 160 times the energy stored in the world’s proven resources of fossil fuels, or 15,000 times the world’s annual use of fossil fuels, nuclear fuels and hydro power.

The issue is not the availability of solar energy, but the practicability of converting it to it to forms suitable for human use. Principally, solar power is used in two formats:

Solar Cogeneration

As the sun does not shine 24 hours a day, and the seasons and weather have a significant effect on the availability of collectable solar radiation, solar energy is mainly used to supplement a buildings power supply, rather than replace it.

This can still significantly reduce a buildings electricity bill and carbon footprint as it is available during office hours; the peak electricity load time when everyone is using their computers and electrically powered office equipment.

Solar Energy and Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Solar energy is forecast to be a central component of the future “hydrogen economy”. It is envisaged that photovoltaic technology will be used to power electrolysis devices that will convert water into its base elements, hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen will be captured and stored, and used to fuel a fuel cell that will convert it into electricity on demand. The fuel cell effectively acts as a battery for sunlight, making zero-carbon electricity available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round.

Solar Farms

In regions with a steady supply of solar energy, large solar panels can be grouped together to form a solar farm. Solar Farms can have sufficient capacity to power large campuses and towns.

Solar Links

Solar Trade Association

The Solar Industries Trade Association (US)

How photovoltaic cells (solar cells) work