Solar Energy as a form of Alternative Energy

Solar energy is finally coming of age. The efficiency of Photovoltaic cells — the famous "black squares" that make a "solar panel" now allows better capture of insolation (the sun's energy) for a given surface area - and they are also becoming cheaper all the time.

The size of the cells is decreasing as their efficiency rises, meaning that each cell becomes cheaper to produce and more productive at the same time. Prices of solar energy per watt-hour have approximately halved over the last two decades.

Solar powered electricity generation is certainly good for the environment, as it is emission-free energy and uses a (relatively) abundant naturally ocurring energy source as its driver (depending on where you are).

Solar collection cells are becoming ever more visible on house roofs even in the UK - a late adopter - and they are not a diffcult appliance to install and to use for producing hot water, or electricity. (Hot water is run through the photovoltaic cells where it is heated and is then pumped through your house). Even in the UK photovoltaic cells are becoming increasingly better at collecting sufficient radiation from the sun even on overcast or stormy days. One company, Uni-Solar, has developed solar collection arrays for the home that work well on inclement days, by storing energy on sunny days and releasing it over inclement periods. However, popular belief in the UK is that solar heating has a long payback period (20 years) that works against the decision to make the initial investment. And unless houses are built with solar panels from scratch, people still feel it is not worthwhile making the switch on an old house.

In the United States, large corporations are taking the lead with solar power adoption (a further indication that solar generated energy is becoming an economically viable alternative energy source). Google is installing a 1.6 megawatt solar power generation plant on the roof of its corporate headquarters, while Wal Mart wants to put in an enormous 100 megawatt system of its own.

Nations such as Japan, Germany, the United States, and Switzerland have been furthering the cause of solar energy production by providing government subsidies or by giving tax breaks to companies and individuals who agree to utilize solar power for generating their heat or electrical power. As technology advances and a greater storage of solar collection materials is made available, more and more private investors will see the value of investing in this “green” technology and further its implementation much more.

About the Author: Mike Howard, Director of Green Energy (Eu) is a rapidly-emerging expert in the field of Green Energy and power-saving electrical products for the home and office. With more than twenty years experience in top-end building Mike is sole UK distributor of the renowned Redwell Infrared Heating systems.

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