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The Truth About Solar Energy
Electricity generated from solar power (photovoltaic - PV) is steadily proving to be a clean, reliable and essential power.
Although naysayers, like fossil-fuel competitors, want us to think otherwise, I can easily demystify some common falsehoods about solar energy because progress and continued research proves that the current and future technologies of PV will meet our needs for cleaner power, which definitely is information worth discussing over any dinner party.
First of all most naysayers contend that solar energy cannot deliver any major portion of electricity to the states or the world for that matter.
This is a falsehood based on the fact that PV technology can meet the required demand.
That a 100-mile-square area of Nevada could supply solar energy to the states with all its electricity (roughly 800 gigawatts) operating reasonably efficient (10%) commercial PV modules.
Land, parking lots and rooftops are available for use to generate enough power.
An estimated 17 by 17 miles per state is the required amount needed to produce 800 gigawatts.
Apparently, there are enough "abandoned" sites that could be used for solar panels.
Supporters of solar electricity definitely have proven that PV can supply a major portion of the U.
S.
electrical needs with their projection of an increase of at least 15% of new added electricity capacity in 2020 with another increase of 10% by 2030.
Another falsehood I hear quite regularly is that photovoltaics will never become a huge industry.
It's a boutique business for a small group of privileged consumers.
Quite the contrary, solar electricity is a full-fledged business that has been growing steadily for more than 35% per year over the past 2 years.
As a matter of fact, it's been reported that the U.
S.
-based industry itself is reaching the $1 billion mark per year and providing 25,000 jobs.
In the next two decades the growth rate is expected to rise to the $10-$15 billion level, thus provided 300,000 jobs by 2025.
We are talking a major expansion of solar electricity as a tried and true power source.
Another very common falsehood that I hear at dinner party conversations is the PV is too expensive and will not ever compete against all mighty fossil-fuels - the industry will never manufacture the energy that it takes to produce the system.
Do I have a smirk on my face? Yes.
This is so far from the truth, it is ridiculous.
The overall cost of producing PV modules has dropped from 1980 at $50 per peak watt to as low as $3 per peak watt, presently, bringing the competitive applications to as low as 15¢-25¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh).
One can simply take a look at the market in California.
The state incentives and net metering alone have places, PV electricity prices below 11¢/kWh, which is in the norm with some utility-delivered power.
Designed for most domestic markets the trend is projected to continue through 2010 for most domestic markets.
Technologically the thin-film modules that are being implemented today payback in one year or even less, which means clean and practically free of overhead energy for the remaining 29-year life expectancy of the modules.
Although naysayers, like fossil-fuel competitors, want us to think otherwise, I can easily demystify some common falsehoods about solar energy because progress and continued research proves that the current and future technologies of PV will meet our needs for cleaner power, which definitely is information worth discussing over any dinner party.
First of all most naysayers contend that solar energy cannot deliver any major portion of electricity to the states or the world for that matter.
This is a falsehood based on the fact that PV technology can meet the required demand.
That a 100-mile-square area of Nevada could supply solar energy to the states with all its electricity (roughly 800 gigawatts) operating reasonably efficient (10%) commercial PV modules.
Land, parking lots and rooftops are available for use to generate enough power.
An estimated 17 by 17 miles per state is the required amount needed to produce 800 gigawatts.
Apparently, there are enough "abandoned" sites that could be used for solar panels.
Supporters of solar electricity definitely have proven that PV can supply a major portion of the U.
S.
electrical needs with their projection of an increase of at least 15% of new added electricity capacity in 2020 with another increase of 10% by 2030.
Another falsehood I hear quite regularly is that photovoltaics will never become a huge industry.
It's a boutique business for a small group of privileged consumers.
Quite the contrary, solar electricity is a full-fledged business that has been growing steadily for more than 35% per year over the past 2 years.
As a matter of fact, it's been reported that the U.
S.
-based industry itself is reaching the $1 billion mark per year and providing 25,000 jobs.
In the next two decades the growth rate is expected to rise to the $10-$15 billion level, thus provided 300,000 jobs by 2025.
We are talking a major expansion of solar electricity as a tried and true power source.
Another very common falsehood that I hear at dinner party conversations is the PV is too expensive and will not ever compete against all mighty fossil-fuels - the industry will never manufacture the energy that it takes to produce the system.
Do I have a smirk on my face? Yes.
This is so far from the truth, it is ridiculous.
The overall cost of producing PV modules has dropped from 1980 at $50 per peak watt to as low as $3 per peak watt, presently, bringing the competitive applications to as low as 15¢-25¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh).
One can simply take a look at the market in California.
The state incentives and net metering alone have places, PV electricity prices below 11¢/kWh, which is in the norm with some utility-delivered power.
Designed for most domestic markets the trend is projected to continue through 2010 for most domestic markets.
Technologically the thin-film modules that are being implemented today payback in one year or even less, which means clean and practically free of overhead energy for the remaining 29-year life expectancy of the modules.
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