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Solar Power
Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using
photovoltaic (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power. All solar thermal
systems capture the energy of the sun by absorbing light as heat. Solar thermal power
systems focus sunlight, usually with mirrors, to heat a fluid to high temperatures and
drive a steam engine. This approach stands in contrast to photovoltaic solar power
systems, in which light interacts with special materials directly to separate charges and
generate electricity. This phenomenon is called Photoelectric effect.
southern Punjab receive abundant solar radiation on the order of over 2 MWh/m 2 and
3,000 hours of sunshine a year, which is at the highest end of global isolation averages
[5]. According to the Pakistan Energy Book 2004-05, solar energy falling on 0.25%
Baluchistan province would be adequate to meet the current requirement of the country
with 20% efficient devices [6].
basic infrastructure in the field. Currently solar technology is being used, in Pakistan, for
stand alone rural telephone exchanges, repeater stations, highway emergency
telephones, refrigeration for vaccine and medicines in the hospitals etc. The Public
Health Department has installed about 20 solar water pumps for drinking purposes in
different parts of Baluchistan [5].
Alternate
Energy
Development
Board
(AEDB)
electrified
approximately
3000
households with total PV power generation of 200 kW in districts of Kohat (NWFP), D.G.
Khan, Rawalpindi (Punjab), Tharparkar (Sindh), Turbat/Kalat (Baluchistan), etc. while
providing 80W panel with lighting system to each household. Pakistan Council of
Renewable Energy Technology (PCRET) electrified more than 500 schools, mosques,
houses through PV power with total generation capacity of more than 80 kW [4].
In
solar
thermal
side,
solar
cookers
(box
and
concentrated
type),
solar
dryers/desalination units, solar water heaters, etc. have been designed, developed and
are in limited use but their contribution in energy provision is negligibly small. So the
total installation appears to be much less than 1000 kW in PV and 10,000 solar thermal
units (all kind) in the country. [4]
Sweden
Denmark
Norway
Finland
Iceland
Sweden
Sweden plans to be World's first oil-free economy by 2020 [7]. Mandatory targets set by
the Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable energy resources
are [7]:
2020.
At least 10% share of Renewable Energy in final consumption of energy in
energy agency with a total of 350 m SEK to allocate subsidies for a period of five years
[7]. The following Table gives the support policy of Sweden for domestic use of solar
energy.
Resource
Support Level
% / investment
Comments
Solar Thermal
Solar Thermal
All REs
All RE technologies
Denmark
Denmark has been self reliant on energy since 19991 [9]. The country has the lowest
energy consumption per unit of GDP in EU and highest contribution to electricity from
renewable resources in the EU. Mandatory targets set by the Directive on the promotion
of the use of energy from renewable energy resources are [9]:
exempt from the tax obligations on the production, supply and use of energy sources.
Access of electricity from renewable energy sources to the grid shall be granted
according to the principle of non-discrimination. With regard to the use of the grid,
renewable energy shall be given priority [10]. The support policy of Denmark for
domestic use of solar energy is as follows:
Resource
Solar PV
Solar Heating
Support Level
% / investment
8 cents/kWh
Exempt from CO2 & Energy
Comments
Feed-in tariff
Tax
Table 1.2 RE Policy of Denmark for the use of Solar Energy [9]
Fiscal incentives
Solar cell systems with an effect of less than 6 kW connected via consumption
installations in households are exempt from electricity levies [9].
Norway
Norway has set itself an ambitious target to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by
30% of Norwegian 1990 levels by 2020 and to become carbonneutral by 2050 [11].
Norway is a heavy producer of renewable energy due to good resources in hydropower.
Over 99% of the electricity production in mainland Norway is covered by hydropower
plants. Norway has limited resources in solar energy, but is one of the world's largest
producers of solar grade silicon and silicon solar cells [12].
The Kingdom of Norway promotes renewable energy through a quota system including
a certificate trading scheme [13]. The support policy of Norway for domestic use of solar
energy is as follows:
Investment Support
Since 2006, the Govt. of Norway also manages a household support scheme, which
helps individuals who invest in renewable heating systems or energysaving products.
The scheme includes support to pellet stoves, pellet boilers, control systems, solar
water heating systems and heat pumps [11].
Finland
Bio-energy plays an important role in the de-centralized and diversified Finnish energy
system. Finland is one of the world leaders in utilizing bio-energy. Almost 20 % of total
primary energy consumption in Finland is met by bio-energy. Finland policy framework
for bio-energy has been very effective; however other RES with still potential in Finland
are less developed. Additional support in the form of feed-in tariffs based on purchase
obligations or green certificates is being considered for onshore wind power. [14]
Through subsidies and energy tax exemptions, Finland encourages investment in RESelectricity and RE-Heating & Cooling. Mandatory targets set by the Directive on the
Promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
Investment Subsidies
The installation costs of solar PV plants are co-financed by the government with grants
of up to 40% [14].
Fiscal Incentives
Taxes imposed on heat, are calculated on the basis of the net carbon emissions of the
input fuels and are zero for renewable energy sources [14].
Iceland
Iceland has abundant renewable energy resources. Its policy is to make the fullest use
of these resources in a sustainable manner. Today nearly all of Icelands electricity and
space heating is provided by renewable sources, i.e. hydropower and geothermal
energy. About 85 percent of total primary energy supply in Iceland is derived from
domestically produced renewable energy sources. In 2011, geothermal energy provided
about 65 percent of primary energy, the share of hydropower was 20 percent, and the
share of fossil fuels (mainly oil products for the transport sector) was 15 percent. In
2013, Iceland also became a producer of wind energy [16].
1. Offering Subsidies
Installing solar cells on rooftops is very expensive. Factories, businesses, and homes
can't afford to spend so much. It would make more sense to buy a generator than to
install solar panels. Even if solar panels save more money in the long run, people are
turned away by the high upfront costs. One way to address this problem is by offering
subsidies. This would reduce the upfront costs and make the long run benefits stand out
more.
Specials incentives should be given to solar energy users. Incentives may include
reduction in income or property taxes.
References
[1]
Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes, 3rd Edition, Duffy, J.A. and Beckman,
W.A., 2005. New York, USA.
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
Pakistan, Renewable Energy Report, Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of
Technology of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific (ESCAP),
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]