Solar Energy for a Better Future - Essay Example

Abdullah Al-Otaibi 5/10 Solar Energy for A Better Future Humans are always looking for new energy sources in order for them to cover their constant evolving life needs. As many of the energy sources that we use are non-renewable and already contain a large number of side effects, either by its relativaly high cost, or by its harmful effect on the environment. Therfore scientists have always tried find other types of energy source, and to transform the energy from the nature itself. Therfore they have tried to get the energy from the most powerful nartural renewable source, which is the sun. There are both negative and positive aspects of the solar energy system. One of the most important advantages of having a solar energy system is that it is environment friendly. For example, the a website GreenConstructionuk states that ”Solar energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil, and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment” (GreenConstructionuk.com). Therefore the possibility harmful emissions is 0%. The use of solar energy will decrease the depletion of a large number of harmful gasses that harm the envoirmorent, for example a website anchorgeneraltrading state that “It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generation does.” (anchorgeneraltrading.com) which means that by having solar energy it would help reduce the harmful gasses that play a role in creating global warming. Another significant advantage of the solar energy is that the system will save the owner’s money. Because the energy is practically free, as it is transformed from the direct sunlight and is converted to an energy source, which means that after installing the system, we would have unlimited amount of energy, with no fees to pay except for the fixed rate of installing the system. For example Ruther states that “Commercial buildings that operate during daytime quite often have an energy consumption profile that is well matched by solar radiation availability, and depending on the buildings available surface areas” (P. Braun, R. Ruther) therefore the fees of the commercial buildings that has to be payed each month will be reduced to one single upfront payment in order from them to have limitless energy source, which is very cost effective for a large number of organiziation and commercial buildings. Moreover it is not subjected by any organization for example a supply and demand, which means that the price is fixed, and there will be no increased fees in the future. A third important advantage is that the solar energy does not require any fuels, which means that it does not create harmful smells, contain no moving parts, rather they work in silent, in addition if you believe that the solar energy that you posses relatively make low energy, you can always add more solar energy panels in order to have the maximum energy source that you require. For example anchorgeneraltrading say that solar energy “They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel… More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family’s needs grow.” (anchorgeneraltrading.com) As the idea of having limitless energy source with no side effects is very intersting, the major disadvantage of solar energy system is that the initial cost of installing of installing the solar panels and the system is very high. However the technology of solar energy is still new, and more research are being put in order to make it more available, cheap, and portable. The set of the solar energy system is also a big issue, where system needs a large flat area in order for it to be installed, and have the sun strike and shine for long periods of time. On the other hand researchers are trying to find ways to make the system and the solar panels more flexible and does not need to be on the the top of a flat building, rather they can try to put the solar panels anywhere on the ground and have the energy transerred to the building itself. As far as the role of the government is concerned the U.S Bureau of Land Management, along with the Department of Energy, structured a number of maps which would aid in determining the appropriate location for the next big push in solar energy. These BLM maps cover locations within the U.S which are most appropriate for the generation of solar energy as well as transmission as per the decision of the government. The decided criteria to initiate actions to promote solar energy were lands with exceptional solar resources, a appropriate slope, close to roads or designated corridors, and comprising of approximately two thousand acres of BLM administered public lands (Lombardi, 2007). In the recent years solar energy has undergone a phenomenal growth mainly due to the improvements in technology which have resulted in cost reductions. Also government policies have played a key supportive role as far as the utilization and development of solar energy is concerned. Where the role of the government seems to be lacking is the way in which despite the cost reductions in solar energy there lack the appropriate policies which could reduce this cost to a rate that is comparable to that of conventional energy technologies. Just like other renewable energy technologies, solar energy derives advantage from the government’s fiscal as well as regulatory incentives including tax credits and exemptions, the standards set by renewable portfolio standards and preferential rates of interest. What the government can do is potentially expand carbon credit markets which would give special incentives to the deployment of solar energy. This is mainly because currently there is a limited scale of incentives that is provided by the government in form of the Clean Development Mechanism as per the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore there needs to be a bigger role played by the government to overcome technical and financial barriers which despite the great technical potential and the market driven deployment of the technology associated with solar energy technology, can be critical (Chaki, 2008). The government needs to address these barriers in order to overcome, maintain and increase electric supplies of solar energy which if ignored will require costly policy supports in the future. Other concerns which need to be highlighted for solar technologies are institutional barriers which have a considerable impact on the novelty of the technology. This can be in form of limited capacity as far as workforce training is concerned, or the planning and coordination of monetary incentives and policy. The government needs to address the fact that there exist an insufficient number of trained personnel required for the preparation, installation and maintenance of solar energy systems (Banerjee, 2005). Also the current laws and regulations passed by the government can cause constrains as far as the deployment of solar energy is concerned. An example is that of a few applications of the small-scale PV systems which had to deal with cumbersome and inconsistent requirements as far as its interconnection was concerned. These had to do with insurance and billing problems, to be able to sell additional power generation into the grid (Florida Solar Energy, 2000). In conclusion, the solar energy system is a very promising energy source, it offers a better renewable energy source, no negative side affects such as gasses and and power outages. However further research still needs to be done on how to make it more available, cheaper, and portable, as the high fixed rate for having the system itself is keeping it from expanding and making a better, cleaner, and safer world for us. Therfore goverments should play a role in establishing solar system to encourage the people, and organization, or at least offer subsidies for the people or organization who would like to establish such a echnology. According to solarpowerathome.com “subsidy programs, tax initiatives, and rebate incentives can reduce the cost of establishing a residential solar system by more that half” (solarpowerathome.com, 2006). Works Cited Banerjee, R. “Renewable Energy: Background Paper Submitted to the Integrated Energy Policy Committee, Government of India.” (2005). Retrieved 18th April, 2012, from: http://www.whrc.org/policy/COP/India/REMay05%20(sent%20by%20Rangan%20Baner jee).pdf Braun, P., and R. Ruther. "The role of grid-connected, building-integrated photovoltaic generation in commercial building energy and power loads in a warm and sunny climate." Energy Conversion and Management 51.12 (2010): 2457+. Academic OneFile. Web. 9 May. 2011. Chaki, C. R. Use of Solar Energy: Bangladesh Context, Experience of Grameen Shakti. 2008. Retrieved 18th April, 2012, from: www.pksfbd.org/seminar_fair08/Seminar_day2/GS%20Chitta%20Ranjan%20Chaki.pdf Florida Solar Energy Center. “Florida Photovoltaic Buildings Program: Status Report, Observations, and Lessons Learned.” Cocoa, FL: Florida Solar Energy Center. (2000). Lombardi, C. “U.S. government maps solar-energy future.” Cnet.com. (2007). Retrieved on 18th April 2012 from: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10276884-54.html Schoder, Carl E. "A convenient truth about clean energy: the earth is awash in energy; we just need new infrastructure to tap it. A chemical engineer shows how we could break free of fossil fuels by deploying the power of ammonia and hydrogen." The Futurist Jan.-Feb. 2011: 25+. Academic OneFile. Web. 9 May. 2011. "Solar Power: Sustainable Green Energy to Protect Our Economy and Environment." Anchorgeneraltrading. Web. 9 May 2011. . "Solar Power; Sustainable Green Energy to Protect Our Economy and Environmen « Greenconstructionuks Blog." Greenconstructionuks Blog. Web. 09 May 2011. . Read More