Analysis of Solar Power - Assignment Example

Analysis of Solar Power Introduction The changing environmental factors has forced the world to adopt renewable energy options to replace the expensive and non-renewable electric energy whose over reliance continue to affect the environmental balance and the dynamics of the economy. One of the energy options currently explored by a number of countries is solar power, a process in which the solar energy is harnessed and converted into electric power for commercial and domestic purposes. The conversion of solar power is either done directly using voltaic cells or through a concentrated solar power in which lenses and tracking systems are used (Frishberg, 2013). The development of commercial solar power began in 1982 in California, the united states and has been adopted by different other states and countries. Currently, the use of solar power has continued to grow significantly due to its clean energy and the cheap production system. Different companies and real estate developers continue to adopt the use of solar power with an aim of going green and increasing the environmental conservation effort. In this paper, the growth in solar power use will be investigated to demonstrate how its environmental friendly nature has led to its adoption in different parts of the globe. As a source of renewable form of energy, solar power is currently replacing other sources of power and this can be attributed to the benefits that it provides to the process of environmental conservation. Background With the rising costs of energy, different countries have invested significantly on research to identify alternative form of renewable energy. This explains the discovery of solar power in 1986 by William Grylls Adam who exposed a piece of selenium to light and produced electric current. Though the selenium cells were not as efficient in the process of electricity generation from the solar, it acted as the initial indicator that electricity had the potential to be converted to energy without moving a turbine in an electric filed as has been done in conventional electricity generation processes (Frishberg, 2013). The discovery of the silicon solar cell in 1953 is currently considered as the milestone of solar power generation history as led to the development of approaches for the production of efficient energy that could be used to run smaller devices. As captured by the New York Times, this discovery opened a new era in the country’s history that will lead to the realization of ways of harnessing limitless and renewable energy to drive the United States economy. Research type The identification of sources of information for this research will be important in detailing the progress and growth in solar power in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. However, due to the nature of the paper, the information will be basically secondary sources due to the difficulty associated with acquiring the primary information. Articles, journals and books will be essential in documenting the growth in solar energy in the world as they capture different academic viewpoints and data collection and analysis on the topic. As a result, two case studies of solar power growth in different parts of the globe will be analysed based on the format of the paper (Trieb, Schillings, Pregger & O'Sullivan, 2012). The case studies will be providing the information on how different countries have adopted varying levels of solar energy development and how this has been essential in their economic growth. Case study 1: comparison of renewable energies in European countries The focus on the development of renewable, clean and cheap energy has not been forsaken in Europe just like in other countries of the globe. Previously, the country relied heavily on the non-renewable fossil fuel to produce its electricity, an approach that was limited to the nuclear power production. However, changes have been witnessed since 2001 when countries committed to a process that will see the reduction in the over reliance on the use of fossil fuel and the adoption of renewable sources of energy like solar power (Trainer, 2013). Under the auspice of the European Union, a directive was issue that set the target of renewable energy adoption to 20% in the member countries. However, the targets have been set differently depending on the countries, their sources of energy and growth potentials. Countries like Malta are required to have 10% of solar power while Sweden is expected to rise to 49% by 2020, a demonstration of the commitment of the countries to the process. Due to the efforts of the European Union, Europe currently leads as the leading producer of clean energy in the world with the solar energy production reaching 68.4% of the solar power produced in the globe (Handayani & Ariyanti, 2012). Figure 1 below shows a comparison of solar energy adoption by different regions in the world with the European Union leading the park. Figure 1: solar PV annual capacity additions by region Adopted from http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/wind-to-double-and-solar-to-triple-in-six-years-says-iea The adoption levels have varied with different countries moving towards the target set by the European Union based on their capabilities and systems. Currently, Germany is the largest producer of photovoltaic electricity, a demonstration of how the country has significantly invested in the adoption of solar power and energy (Howarth, 2014). Despite the 20% target set by the European Union, Germany has worked towards achieving at least 30% of solar power by this time and the elimination of fossil fuel electricity generation. The feed in tariffs reduction for the photovoltaic power has not affected the determination of Germany to adopt a clean source of energy present in solar power. A decline in the PV cost in 2009 enabled the country to significantly grow its solar power plants in 2009 and 2010. However, the poor intensity and concentration of solar energy in Germany has hampered the exclusive adoption of solar power as a clean energy and the country has pursued other alternatives such as wind power (Trainer, 2013). The oil crisis of the 70s affected France ability to produce oil generated electricity and this has forced the country to over rely on nuclear electricity production. The country is considered to have the highest share of the nuclear energy in Europe as far as electricity production is concerned, a value that is considered below the levels of most economies as developed as France itself. Following the European Union directive, an ambitious plan and target has been set that will see the country adopt solar energy production as an alternative source of nuclear power. Currently, the country has a 13% reliance on renewable energy, a value that is below that of neighbouring countries but a show of commitment to a clean energy production process. The photovoltaic cells installed in the country’s power generation system has enabled it to produce over 1054MW of electricity power by 2010, a value that is believed to be in the rise considering the stakes placed by the European union. However, the few prototypes built in the country have affected its ability to reach its full potential in solar production as compared to other countries in Europe. Italy has also over relied on fossil fuels for electricity generation, resources that are imported from other countries due to lack of natural sources. This leads to the investment of large amount of finance on the process of electricity generation which the country aims to replace through the full adoption of renewable energy generation. Italy’s share of renewable energy production also lags behind when compared to other European nations with a similar level of economic development. The country has however invested massively on solar energy production which is believed to have reached 200% by 2010. A number of PVs in the country are not connected to the national grid but produce massive electric energy for other domestic and commercial purposes (Parker & Ho, 2013. This case study demonstrates the commitment of Europe through the European Union and the member countries to the adoption of clean and renewable electricity production approaches (Klass, 2011). Different countries in European Union have adopted varying levels of solar energy production but the progress currently demonstrates that the continent is going green as far as energy production is concerned as shown in figure 2 below. Figure 2: solar per capita graph Adopted from https://joinmosaic.com/blog/2012-solar-power-country-leaders-capita-and-gdp/ Case study 2: comparison of solar power use in the United States Tough Germany lead in the global solar power production and use, the United States adopted this form of energy production much earlier following the United States department of energy report. Based on this study, the adoption of solar energy in the country would be economically viable and can be adopted as an alternative to the use of coal. By 2007, the United States was consuming over 100 quads of solar energy, a value that has currently risen and believed to get closer to German’s figures (Fanchi, 2013). The solar capacity of the United States increased significantly according to a report by the solar energy industries which estimated a total energy production of 8,775 MW in 2007. The country installed more photovoltaic cells by 2007 and this contributed to the rise in solar energy production in the country as shown in figure 3 below. Figure 3: US solar energy production since 1985 Adopted from http://cleantechnica.com/2013/06/25/solar-power-by-state-solar-rankings-by-state/ As shown in figure 3 above, solar energy use and production in the United States has been on the rise over the last eight years, with the growth rate believed to be at 40% annually. The cost of generation of electricity per kilowatt-hour has also declined as compared to the time when the country depended solely on fossil fuels for electricity generation (Trainer, 2013). The growth and development of solar power in the United States also varies depending on states with some states like Arizona producing more than countries in Europe. The increased level of solar power reliance in the country had been attributed to the independent energy oversights of the state governments which have led to the development of photovoltaic stations in different states (Fanchi, 2013). The governments are currently constructing more stations and others are planned for construction before 2015, a process that will move the country ahead of others as a solar power producer. Figure 4 below shows a comparison of solar energy production in the country by states, with Arizona and Hawaii leading the pack in solar energy production. Figure 4: solar power production in the US per state Adopted from http://cleantechnica.com/2013/06/25/solar-power-by-state-solar-rankings-by-state/ Analysis Based on the information presented in the two case studies, concerns over increase in global warming and climate change as a result of the over reliance on fossil fuel electricity production has increased. As a result, different governments have advocated and created an enabling environment for the adoption of solar energy which is adjusted to the national grid of these countries. The level of adoption varies and is affected by the counties’ economic policies and approach towards greener energy production. Europe and the United States of America are currently the leading producers of solar power, a fact that has been attributed to the policies adopted in these regions (Smil, 2014). In Europe for example, the European Union made a policy agreement with member countries to adopt efficient energy production approaches which includes the use of photovoltaic cells. Based on this policy, each member state was expected to reach a minimum of 20% renewable energy option by 2020, a value that was set higher for some countries like Sweden and Germany. As a result of this approach, different countries in the continent have adopted the use of solar electricity, with Germany leading the pack. The intensity of solar energy in the countries affects their equal adoption of this approach, a fact that has affected France and Italy’s determination to join the leaders (Klass, 2011). In figure 2 above, a comparison of the level of solar power use per country based on their gross domestic product has been provided. Based on the data on the figure, countries in Europe lead other countries in the adoption of solar power, with the United States displaying dismal results even below Malta. Germany and Italy and Belgium are the leading solar energy producers across the globe with other countries in other continents such as japan, china and South Africa performing dismally. The policies of the European Union have been attributed to the high level of solar energy production in the continent as compared to other countries (Smil, 2014). However, the data is biased towards countries in Europe as it compares use of solar power not based on the population but the gross domestic product of the country. With the large populations in the United States and china, it will require more than ordinary effort for them to lead the pack if the approximation is based on the GDP. Emerging economies like Brazil, Mexico, India and South Africa have remained below par as far as renewable energy adoption is concerned and this has been raised in various forums. To grow and become economic powerhouse in the regions, these countries must adopt the use of renewable and clean sources of electricity production like solar and wind (Fanchi, 2013). Conclusion The emerging challenges associated with climate change, global warming, decline in mineral resources among others have forced different countries to adopt renewable sources of energy. Fossil fuels such as coal that was used significantly in Europe in the generation of fuels continue to decline and countries like Italy must import them in order to sustain their energy production. This is not only costly but also affects the economic position and influence of a country that has remained dominant in Europe. These challenges among other emerging problems have pushed different countries across the globe to embrace new, clean and renewable approaches of energy production (Smil, 2014). Solar energy is one such approach that has been accepted and adopted by different countries across the globe due to its abundant availability and renewable status. Countries like Germany, the United States, Sweden and Belgium have adopted large scale production of energy from solar voltaic cells developed strategically in different parts of the country. The energy produced is added to the national grid and contribute to the commercial and domestic power consumption in the countries. The levels of adoption of solar power vary between continents, countries in Europe and states in the United States and are influenced by a number of factors. However, the case studies have demonstrated that solar power continues to rise as an alternative source of electricity and a way of mitigating global warming. References Fanchi, J.R 2013, Energy In The 21St Century, Singapore: World Scientific. Frishberg, M 2013, 'Alternative Financing for US Solar Energy', Research Technology Management, 56, 6, pp. 7-8. Frishberg, M 2013, 'Incentives Spark Solar Energy Boom for Japan', Research Technology Management, 56, 3, pp. 5-6. Handayani, N, & Ariyanti, D 2012, 'Potency of Solar Energy Applications in Indonesia', International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 1, 2, pp. 33-38. Howarth, T 2014, 'Solar power does offer us solutions to the challenges facing the motoring industry', Engineering & Technology (17509637), 9, 1, p. 26. Klass, A.B 2011, 'Energy and Animals: A History of Conflict', San Diego Journal Of Climate & Energy Law, 3, pp. 159-204. Parker, M, & H.O, P 2013, 'Solar and the Next Energy Revolution: Beginning to See the Light', Black Book - Solar & The Next Energy Revolution: Beginning To See The Light, pp. 1-142. Smil, V 2014, 'The long slow rise of solar and wind', Scientific American, 310, 1, pp. 52-57 Trainer, T 2013, 'Can Europe run on renewable energy? A negative case', Energy Policy, 63, pp. 845-850. Trieb, F, Schillings, C, Pregger, T, & O'Sullivan, M 2012, 'Solar electricity imports from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe',Energy Policy, 42, pp. 341-353. Read More