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Technological advances in Solar Energy

Everyday the sun produces about 84 terawatts of power onto the entire planet, and the
current world consumption of power is approximately 12 terawatts, however capturing any of the
suns energy is the problem that keeps occurring. Over the past few years humans have
consumed approximately 11 billion tonnes of oil in fossil fuels. It is only a matter of time before
fossil fuels are no longer present and other sources of energy have to be made. Experts have been
seeking a new energy source to replace all the coal and fossil fuels. The types of energy sources
that are the most effective are solar power and wind power. Solar power is an outstanding source
of alternative energy because it is inexhaustible, efficient, and does not pollute the Earth.
That solar power could be utilized as a source of power was realized in the early years of
technology. The first ever solar collector can be traced all the way back to mid 1700s. During
this time A Swiss scientist, Horace de Saussure, built the first thermal solar collector in 1767,
which was later used to heat water and cook food (Solar Energy). This was the first instance
of the use of solar power to help with everyday life. During this time most people relied on the
sun for heat and they burned things like wood,straw or even dried dung when the sun was not
prominent. The first occurrence of the utilization of the suns energy was in the 1880s, selenium
photovoltaic cells were developed that could convert light into electricity with 1-2% efficiency
(Solar Energy). Even though solar cells were discovered, they were still not proven efficient
until later on.
Although the first solar collector was traced all the way back in the 1700s, it was not
until later when this new source of collectable energy could be capitalized on. Around the
1900s ,solar energy became a desirable source of energy. In 1891, the first commercial patent
for a solar water heater went to Clarence Kemp of the US. This system was bought by two

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California executives and installed in one-third of the homes in Pasadena by 1897 (Solar
Energy). This was the first incident when solar energy was implemented into everyday homes.
The use of heating was still relatively a new idea, therefore others were trying to think of other
sources of energy to use. Solar technology advanced to roughly its present design in 1908 when
William J. Bailey of the Carnegie Steel Company invented a collector with an insulated box and
copper coils. By the mid-1950s Bell Telephone Labs had achieved 4% efficiency, and later 11%
efficiency, with silicon PV cells (Solar Energy). By exploiting the information and resources
that Bailey had at the time, he seemed to advance the world of solar energy. However, the
sufficiency of solar energy could not be manipulated until later on when engineers could start
implementing this power source into everyday life.
With all the technology coming out in these past few decades some believe that these
solar panels are for individuals with a lavish lifestyle. Contrary to popular belief, the price of
solar panels has plummeted drastically over the years. Even the past thirty years, the data shows
that for every cumulative doubling of global PV production, costs have dropped by twenty
percent (Diamandis 159). Photovoltaics, or PV, is the name of the method to convert direct
sunlight into direct current electricity, so in turn that means that when these solar panels are
produced, the price of them dropped by twenty percent. Also the production cost has fallen to
nearly 1/300 of what it was during the space program of the mid-century and the purchase cost
has gone from $200 per watt in the 1950s to a possible mere $1 per watt today (Solar
Energy). The cost-efficiency of these solar panels have excelled exponentially over the past 50
years. The cost of solar panels will soon be adequate enough to become a primary source of
energy.

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All solar panels have the same end effect, which is to produce energy. However, there are
two different models that experts follow today. The two forms of solar power that are used today
are:
Thermal and photovoltaic. The first concentrates sunlight, converts it into heat,
and applies it to a steam generator or engine to be converted into electricity in
order to warm buildings, heat water, generate electricity, dry crops or destroy
dangerous waste. Electricity is generated when the heated fluid drives turbines or
other machinery. The second form of solar power produces electricity directly
without moving parts. Today's photovoltaic system is composed of cells made of
silicon, the second most abundant element in the earth's crust. Power is produced
when sunlight strikes the semiconductor material and creates an electric current
(Solar Energy).
There are many benefits to both of these types of solar panels. With thermal technology, the
energy that is formed is concentrated into heat. On the other hand, photovoltaic energy converts
the suns light directly into electricity. However, a downside to photovoltaic energy is that these
types of solar panels are only effective during the daylight. Also, photovoltaic energy are
generally more expensive because PV has more use for utilities and commercially than solar
thermal. Also, solar thermal panels are the cheapest panels to make due to their simple design
process. Each type of solar panel has their advantages and disadvantages, however all types of
solar panels generally are made to generate energy.
The efficiency of solar panels now have been increased remarkably compared to when
the first solar panel was introduced. Even though solar panels have evolved most of them are
around 11-15% efficient. The efficiency rating measures what percentage of sunlight hitting a
panel gets turned into electricity that you can use. The higher the efficiency, the less surface area
youll need in your solar panels (Solar Power Efficiency).As of 2008, the efficiency of solar
panels has increased dramatically to 40.8% the US Department of Energys National Renewable
Energy Labs new world record (Solar Energy). The 40% efficiency has only been produced

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in labs by scientists, manufacturers have yet to produce economically viable products that
provide this much efficiency. Given these points the maximum capability of these solar cells on
the market are still limited, however soon scientists will be able to magnify the efficiency rate.
A large aspect of why scientists are looking for substitutes in energy sources is due to
how fuels are damaging the environment. The fossil fuels that humans use now have caused
considerable environmental damage and displaced millions of acres of crops, thus helping to
drive food prices sky-high (Diamandis 161). The fuels that humans are using now are
detrimental to the environment, however everybody can reduce these effects by switching to an
alternative source of energy, like solar energy or wind power. There are:
Several advantages of photovoltaic solar power that make it one of the most
promising renewable energy sources in the world. It is non-polluting, has no
moving parts that could break down, requires little maintenance and no
supervision, and has a life of 20-30 years with low running costs. It is especially
unique because no large-scale installation is required. Remote areas can easily
produce their own supply of electricity by constructing as small or as large of a
system as needed (Solar Energy).
By switching to photovoltaic solar power air pollution problems can also be solved due to less
gasses produced from these harmful fossil fuels. Another reason to switch to photovoltaic solar
cells is due to the fact that solar photovoltaic cells do not use water for generating electricity
(Environmental Impacts of Solar Power). In the future water will become a scarce resource, so
to reduce the waste of water a solution is to switch to solar photovoltaic cells. The damage in the
ecosphere can be conserved and all organisms can live in a pure environment if the switch to
solar energy happens.
One part of the future plans for solar panels is the reduce the price enough so everyone
can have access to them. One aim is to spur American innovation and reduce the total cost of
solar energy systems another 75% by 2020. This reduction would put costs around $1 per watt,
or six cents per kilowatt-hour, a price capable of undercutting even coal (Diamandis 160). If the

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price of these solar energy systems would be decreased to a price under even coal then the
masses could purchase them. In California the price of solar power has plunged - for utility
scale solar, it can be cheaper to build and operate a plant than it is to simply supply fuel to a
natural gas plant (Timmer). Once this idea becomes a reality, then all the natural gas plants can
be turned into solar power plants. If, in the future, the price of a solar panel is diminished then
everyone can hope to purchase one.
Experts in solar energy are trying to predict how much more efficient future solar panels
will be. Enough solar power hits one square kilometer of Africas deserts to produce the
equivalent of one and a half million barrels of oil or three hundred thousand tons of coal
(Diamandis 157). If the ability to achieve even a portion of this energy becomes realistic then the
possibility of powering everything without burning fossil fuels will become true. In 2015
researchers at Aalto University published a paper in Nature Nanotechnology announcing that
they created a black silicon solar cell with an efficiency of 22.1 percent (Griggs). These black
silicon solar cells are able to absorb more sunlight which will in turn produce more energy. The
future of solar panels is coming close with all the advances made in recent years. The thought of
what the future will look like is always a common topic to discuss.
A future where the environment is destroyed and the consumption of all energy sources is
a frightening thought. That is why switching over to solar power now can help change the future.
Solar power is a great source of energy that can be utilized to help save the environment. The
economy will thrive and the environment will not be further polluted by burning all these fuels
by switching over to another primary source. Even though the gases already in the atmosphere
can never be erased, if no more burned fossil fuels can be added to that then maybe Earth can

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still be salvaged. The switchover might take a long period of time however the changes will be
well worth the wait.

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Works Cited
Diamandis, Peter H., and Steven Kotler. Abundance: The Future Is Better than You Think. New
York: Free, 2012. Print.
"Environmental Impacts of Solar Power." Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 18 Dec.
2015.
Griggs, Mary B. "Black solar cells reach incredible new efficiency record." Popsci. N.p.,
26 May 2015. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
"Solar Energy." Renewable Energy,. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.
"Solar Panel Efficiency - Pure Energies." Pure Energies USA. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.
Timmer, John. "For the Future of Solar, Weve Got the Techits the Economics, Stupid."
Arstechnica. N.p., 28 Oct. 2015. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.