Investigation of the Growth in Solar Power - Research Paper Example

Section/# Solar Energy: An Analysis and Discussion Introduction One of the most talked about forms of renewable energy over the past several years has been solar. Due to the decreasing natural resources that the planet exhibits, coal and nuclear sources of electrical generation are in diminished supply and represent their own unique risks. As a function of discussing this alongside presenting an alternative approach, the following analysis will promote an understanding of some of the pros and cons of the utilization of solar energy. It is the hope of this author that the reader will be able to gain a more informed understanding with respect to the way in which solar energy represents a potential to serve as a more renewable form of energy in the coming years and decades; alongside a unique understanding for its drawbacks and potential failures which will be exhibited within the research and case studies presented. Background Firstly, it should be noted that a large majority of energy (electricity) is generated by coal plants. These coal plants are inherently a dirty way of creating electricity; due to the fact that they burn the fossil fuel coal as a means of generating that in turn drives turbines which produce electricity. Beyond the inefficiency of this process, coal is a limited and finite natural resource that once it is exhausted will be gone forever. Furthermore, the inherent damage to the environment that coal fumes and ash create has been proven by a litany of different medical researchers to be especially toxic. By means of comparison and contrast, many individuals argue for the more widespread use of nuclear energy; due to the fact that it is inherently “cleaner” than coal and less environmentally toxic to individuals that live in and around the nuclear stations that produce such energy (Frishberg, 2013). By means of comparison and contrast, solar energy has come to be a very attractive alternative. For instance, proponents of solar energy point to the fact that it is sustainable, widely available, reduces electricity costs, silent, abundant, renewable, and relatively low maintenance. All of these advantages encourage individuals throughout society to promote solar energy as the most effective way in which the dependent upon limited and finite resources can be reduced within the near future. Type of Research Engaged: For purposes of this brief analytical piece, the author has chosen to engage with secondary resources. The underlying reason for this has to do with the fact that the quality of the secondary resources that were reviewed prior to the actual thesis or outline of this paper coming together were determined to be of sufficient quality and depth to merit consideration as worthy of inclusion within the paper. Additionally, the rigor of the research that was performed indicated that seeking to gather primary data and “reinvent the wheel” would be futile and could ultimately lead to a lower quality of research as compared to the incorporation of the aforementioned secondary sources. The underlying rationale behind this was predicated upon the fact that the researchers/authors of the secondary articles which will be included within the case studies had many more resources at their disposal, not to mention funding streams that could allow them to contract third party statisticians and data analysts to conduct research for them; an advantage that this individual student most certainly does not have. Case Studies: Case Study 1: The first case study that was analyzed is with regard to the nation of Scotland. As a direct result of EU directives to decrease carbon emissions and the paucity of other means of traditional electrical generation, Scotland has recently engaged on a multi billion pound initiative to slowly shift the electrical power infrastructure to a more renewable means. As such, solar power was one of the first alternatives that was considered. Although these alternative sources of energy account for less than 10% of current energy needs within Scotland, they are nonetheless visible and provide a stark contrast to the otherwise unmolested natural environment that oftentimes existed prior to their installation (Saunders, 2013). Although many environmentalists are happy to have such wind farms in operation, there is a strong level of pushback that exists with regards to the adulteration of key environment as well as a definite contingent of individuals that view such wind farms as something of an eyesore. Conversely, many other environmentalists view alternative energy as a necessary means of preserving the planet and are willing to relinquish some aesthetic beauty for progress. Although both sides have a valid concern, the case study of Scotland reveals the fact that the total solar output that is available to be harvested during any given month is substandard; even as compared to other nations in or around the same latitude. The primary reason for this is the result of the fact that Scotland has nearly perennial cloudiness that detracts from the overall amount of sunlight that would otherwise reach the ground and could potentially be utilized by solar generation plants. Ultimately, from the varying studies on feasibility that were reviewed with respect to informing the research regarding Scotland, it is clear that solar energy will most likely not be the way in which this nation seeks to develop a diversification of its energy base. Although scholars praise the ability of solar energy as a growing technology that has the potential to dynamically shift the way that energy is produced and consumed throughout the world , the fact of the matter is that unique weather patterns and considerations of latitudinal position are essential to determining whether or not a solar based renewable energy approach is efficient to warrant further expenditure and study with respect to a given region. With respect to the case in question, the researchers noted that after exhaustive study, solar power was not feasible or a rational use of public monies; at least in terms of seeking to effect a more renewable energy strategy within Scotland itself (Wang, n.d.). As will be noted below, the level of analysis that is performed and the results that are returned can have a drastic difference with regard to whether or not a solar energy stance is engaged or dismissed; in terms of the overall return on investment and best interests for the region in question. Case Study 2: The secondary case study that has been engaged with respect to this particular analysis is with regard to the application of solar energy generation, and overall suitability, that was measured and determined with respect to Nelis Air Force Base in Nevada. Setting out to perform a nationwide study of the levels of photovoltaic energy throughout the United States, the United States Air Force settled upon Nelis Air Force Base as the region in which construction would be engaged. The ultimate plans behind the construction of this solar energy farm denotes that it will be the largest solar energy production center within the Western hemisphere. By means of contrast and comparison to the first case that was analyzed, the researchers determined that the overall hourly and yearly averages of the amount of solar energy that could be captured in and around Nelis Air Force Base were by far greater than other regions throughout the country (Johnson, 2009). Although areas in Arizona and elsewhere had higher intensity sunlight, the overall cloud cover and/or snow that such areas were prone to discouraged the researchers from going forward with plans to consider building the site in such a location. In addition to the favorable weather patterns that provide unobstructed view of the sun for a large percentage of every day, Nelis Air Force Base also provided a better latitude by which the rays of the sun can be captured. As figure 1.0 denotes, the lower latitudes (ones closer to the equator) provide the greatest overall year round exposure to the sun (Ondrey, 2009). As Scotland remains a relatively high latitude, it comes as no surprise why this particular approach was engaged within the Nelis Air Force Base project as compared to being rejected by the government of Scotland. Figure 1.0 Analysis – Data Interpretation: As has been discussed at some length within this analysis, the global latitudinal position of a nation/region that is interested in leveraging a higher degree of solar energy via the use of solar farms will invariably need to be considered. Alongside this consideration, regions and interested stakeholders must also factor in a consideration concerning the yearly prescription and cloud cover statistics that they expect to be represented. Within a region that has a particularly high level of sun irradiation within a given year, the level of precipitation and cloud cover might in fact reduce the attractiveness for solar energy; based in part on the fact that the unknown nature of solar energy within such a region could discourage stakeholders from taking a risk on investing in the infrastructure. Yet, by the same token, the understanding that a relatively small level of precipitation and/or cloud cover is likely to exist will encourage stakeholders to build the capability; exhibiting a fairly strong incentive for economic gain and efficiency. As is noted with respect to the figures below, Nevada offered the best of both of these situations; providing weather conditions that were beneficial to the collection of the high irradiation values that are represented year around. By means of contrast and comparison, Scotland represented the worst of both scenarios; exhibiting a situation in which the near continual cloud cover, in tandem with the relatively high latitude, created a situation in which the total amount of energy that could be harvested via solar farms would be drastically reduced. Moreover, economists pointed to the fact that the infrastructure would require a greater investment than it could return to the economy; even after 50 years of continuous operation. Figure 2.0 Figure 3.0 Conclusion: From the information that is thus far been described, it is clear and apparent that even though solar energy represents a noted benefit with respect to the traditional forms of electoral generation that currently exist within the system, it also references core drawbacks; drawbacks that make it unfitting for use specifically within certain geographic areas. For these very reasons, solar energy has not caught on to a higher degree. For these very reasons, individuals are necessarily discouraged from using it and the level of efficiency that could potentially take place from solar power generation is limited with respect to the means by which this energy is stored after it is collected. With all of this being understood, it is the interpretation of this analyst, from a review of the resources that have thus far been presented, that a further emphasis on wind turbines and wind power must be effected within the regions that are not amenable to solar power generation. This understanding is not unique within Europe, and specifically Northern Europe; instead, nations such as Denmark, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries have led the way in maximizing the overall number of wind turbines and the percentage of power that is derived from them in recent years. As such, geographies that do not exhibit long hours of sunlight on a regular basis will have some catching up to do if it expects to reach the same percentage of renewable energy that it can produce at any given time. Irrespective of this, the approaches that have thus far been referenced should not be understood as either useful or useless. Instead, such areas will exhibit different weather patterns. As such, solar and/or wave energy might be particularly efficient within one particular area. By means of contrast and comparison wind power generation might be especially poor within a given area. In such a way, the reader can come to the determination that a “best practice” in terms of electrical power generation is elusive to say the least. However, with this in mind, the crafters of an energy policy would do well to note these unique nuances in determining the approaches that will best suit the needs of the future. Bibliography Johnson, G 2009, PLUGGING INTO THE SUN, National Geographic, 216, 3, pp. 28-51, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 7 June 2014. Ondrey, G 2009, SOLARS SECOND COMING. (Cover story), Chemical Engineering, 116, 3, pp. 18-21, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 7 June 2014. Saunders, C 2013, Saughtonhall goes solar 2011, Reform Magazine, p. 1, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 7 June 2014. Wang, Fan, et al. "A Feasibility Study On Solar-Wall Systems For Domestic Heating – An Affordable Solution For Fuel Poverty." Solar Energy 86.9 (2012): 2405-2415. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 June 2014. Read More