Make solar energy economical - Essay Example

Assignment: Make Solar Energy Economical Introduction. Solar energy is derived from the sun which out powers any other source of energy that technology can create. Solar energy far outweighs all sources of commercial energy that is used daily all over the world. Generation of solar electricity is growing daily by high percentages although one of the challenges is that it still remains a small percentage of total global energy consumption compared to coal, oil and natural gas. The fossil fuels cause a myriad of environmental effects that makes them not a preference in the growing energy market. Coal causes water and air pollution problems and contributes together with other fossil fuels build up of the air’s CO2. Looking at the long term energy use, the fossil fuels pose a threat to the environment, hence solar energy offers the best alternative. First, its available throughout and its source can never be depleted even in future energy demands, it’s the only energy that has no environmental effects because its transmitted directly from the sun free of charge direct to the earth. Tapping into solar energy and making it more economical has a myriad of challenges of which its mitigation in overcoming the challenges requires engineering innovations in tapping the energy, transforming it, and storing it for future use. Technological innovations to address this issue include the use of dishes which can tap the suns rays in a concentrated form to heat water that drives the dynamo engines and makes them produce power for use which is basically used for the generation of solar electricity. There is also use of solar photovolatalic cells to manufacture of the electrical current from sunlight (Eden, 2010). Application And Efficiency Of Solar Energy Solar energy technology is faced with engineering challenges however there follows ways of making it more efficient in its production, storage and use. For example most of solar cells today that is used for commercial purposes are highly made of silicon that converts electricity from sunlight, with less percentage of efficiency due to high manufacturing costs. Due to use of silicon material the cost of electricity production is three times higher which makes the engineering pauses need for cost effective cells with low manufacturing costs (Simon, 2007). The current standard cells provide thirty one percent efficiency due to use of silicon materials. Use of new materials for production by multilayer cells can increase the efficiency. There are also other ways of enhancing efficiency of solar energy which include the development of nanotechnology. This is the development of engineering structures which are effective compared to use of molecules and atoms. This makes them effective because one nanometer is equal to billionth of one meter. Use of other materials like lead and selenium elements in the making of the cells which make a nanocystal which is more cost effective and more efficient. With the use of standard cells there is production of excess heat when a photon releases electron to carry the electric charge which makes it ineffective and inefficient enough. On the other hand use of nanocystals made of selenium and lead elements produces extra electrons instead of heat which increases the electrical output by a high percentage. Use of the nanocystals is more efficient and needs engineering integrated into a structure that can be used to transmit energy in circuits. Solutions For Economical Solar Energy The cost of materials for production of solar energy is high, which takes up the production output of the energy. Also found are new resources that can be utilized in solar cells thus reducing manufacturing costs. Current standard cells are expensive and require a high level of purity. Impurities in the material cause a blockage of flow of electric charge.use of materials that are highly pure and cheaper would be a solution because it will make charges move short distance through the thin layer cells hence ensure the quick flow of electric charge producing more output ( Sukhatme & Nayak, 2008). To ensure materials absorb more sunlight, there is a need to utilize raw materials for easy absorption of light and also use elements that allow easy penetration including movement of charges that can be moved through the narrow width of the cell while light can be engrossed through the length of the cell element. Another method would be to use a modification of titum elements in dioxide molecules to tap and allow the flow of electric charges combined with use of dye molecules to captivate sunlight. This will ensure the system is operational and flow of energy is fast and economical. One of the major obstacles in the spreading of solar energy even as it grows and innovations for effective generation of power is the lack of good storage systems. During cold weather and climate solar energy is mostly not available. The use of a technological storage system that can store energy and ensure its available for a long time is the key solution (Bhaskar, 2013). Use of materials like pumping water or batteries are good methods storage of energy however uses of new materials that can improve effective magnets and capacitor gadgets is the best option. Another solution would be use of biological methods of capturing sunlight by use of plants whereby the suns energy can be stored in the plant to produce fuel. This approach can also be done by developing an engineering catalyst that can tap energy from the sunlight. For example if the sun is able to be captured through the water process to generate hydrogen for fuel, then it can be used to produce a circuit of power generating system which can produce nonpolluting derivatives. The engineering catalyst can also produce energy from the water cycle system which is more effective and economical ( Scheer, 2007). Sustainability Of Solar Energy Use of products made of crystalline silicon wafers in the production of solar cells would be cheaper and effective compared to traditional solar cells. Due to growing demand for solar energy and need make it more economical the use of concentrated solar power systems will be of great help. This system involves the use of thermal and photovoltaic technologies which integrates the thin dish and engines that lowers the manufacturing costs. This technology ensures also storage of heat through a molten salt closed system which is connected to sunlight trapper which is transformed to electricity which helps when the energy is on demand and stores energy for use during cold weather. To make solar energy more efficient the use of building integrated photovoltaic is a new way of holistic design of buildings and structures where solar panels are shaped to take the shape of the building to tap into solar energy which can be used as heat and power generator (Walker, 2013). Conclusion Solar energy is one of the cleanest sources of energy and provides sustainable development in the world. Many are the advantages that accompany the use of the energy, due to its demand and growth the engineering challenges of making it economical have made possible solutions to be derived as outlined in this essay of which implemented would make the solar energy the most individual and environmentally friendly energy. References Bhaskar, B. (2013). Energy security and economic development in India: A holistic approach. New Delhi: Teri Press. Doede n, M. (2010). Green energy: Crucial gains or economic strains?. Minneapolis: Twenty- First Century Books. Scheer, H. (2007). Energy autonomy: The economic, social and technological case for renewable energy. London: Earthscan. Simon, C. A. (2007). Alternative energy: Political, economic, and social feasibility. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Sukhatme, S. P., & Nayak, J. K. (2008). Solar energy: Principles of thermal collection and storage. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill. Walker, A. (2013). Solar energy: Technologies and the project delivery process for buildings. Read More