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PV panels
PV roofing shingles
When a photon (a light particle) hits the panel, it has enough energy to knock an electron loose, allowing it to flow freely.
The panel then has several electrical fields to force the electrons to move in a certain direction, creating a current which can be used to do work.
Takuro Kobashi
Around 0.1% of primary energy demand Solar electric installations totalled 200MW in 1999, 280MW in 2000 and 340MW by 2001 and 427MW in 2002.
From IEA
From IEA
Composition of PV
Trend in USA
Public budgets
Trends in price
Advantages
Very clean, sustainable, durable, low cost for maintenance. Solar energy at selected uses (off-grid) already is quite competitive among other energy sources. The solar energy cost is coming close to the grid connected at some region. In Japan, there is a sign of self-sustaining growth of market.
Advantages
Although still with subsidies, solar energy is expanding at the fastest rate among other energy sources.
Cost
The prices for high power band (>70 Watts) solar modules has dropped from around $27/Wp in 1982 to around $4/Wp today.
Typical kWh usage by homes in three selected US average homes is shown. For example, in a Sacramento, California home, it would cost around $16-$20,000 to satisfy around 25% of that homes energy needs.
Cost
Precise calculation of solar electricity costs depend on the location and the cost of finance available to the owner of the solar installation With the best PV electricity prices (in the sunniest locations) approaching 30 cents/kWh and the highest tariffs now exceeding 20 cents/kWh Funding programs that bridge this gap are causing rapid growth in sales of solar PV, especially in Japan and Germany.
Why not?
1. 2. 3. 4. Expensive for Consumers and Producers Two years output needed to just equal the amount of energy used in production Large land areas needed to produce energy on a power plant scale Limited by intermittence. Stable grids require traditional generating facilities or costly backup to ensure uninterrupted supply. Due to PV efficiency and low market demand, technological progression is slow. Environmental concerns in production and disposal Lack of subsidies and tax credits (In the U.S.)
5. 6. 7.
RESIDENTIAL COST
2 Kilowatt system: $16-20,000 (installed) - Could meet all needs of a very energy efficient home. - $8-10 per Watt 5 Kilowatt system: $30-40,000 (installed) - Completely meets energy needs of most conventional homes. -$6-8 per Watt (Estimates from U.S. Department of Energy)
QuickTime and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are neede d to see this picture.
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20 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
COE cents/kWh
Disposal
Module lifespan typically around 30 years Some material classified as hazardous waste Recycling process not yet perfected
electricity still costs more than electricity generated by conventional plants in most places, and regulatory agencies require most utilities to supply the lowest-cost electricity.
Dish collector focuses heat to drive generator Solar furnace project in California
References
Solar Buzz http://www.solarbuzz.com/index.asp
IEA http://www.iea-pvps.org/
References
Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA): Renewables: Challenging the Energy Mix, 2003, a multi-client study A Consumers Guide: Get Your Power from the Sun, U.S. Department of Energy. December 2003 American Solar Enegy Society (ASES): http://www.ases.org/ MSNBC archives, Solar power city offers 20 years of lessons, Jeff Donn. June 7, 2004