There is much ado about solar electricity these days, and whether solar electricity generated from photovoltaic solar energy cells is a viable alternative to our addiction to fossil fuels. Of course, this depends on what part of the planet one lives. Since a large percentage of the earth could sustain every home using solar electricity, this could go a long way towards weaning ourselves from burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas for electricity generation.
It is estimated that only 1% of the total population on our planet of 7 billion people is using photovoltaics to generate electricity. However, that is still a relatively large number of people, an estimated 70 million. In 2010, Spain opened the world's largest solar power generating plant; on average, Spain receives 340 days of sunshine a year, and in 2011, solar energy met 2.8 percent of their demand for electricity.
Exactly how is electricity generated from solar energy? The Photovoltaic, or PV, cell is able to capture electrical charges when exposed to sunlight. The conducting material most commonly used is silicon. The electric current is than conducted away by metal contacts; this DC, or direct current, is then either stored in batteries, or used directly to run lights, motors, or equipment specifically designed to run on DC. For those motors, appliances, and lights which use AC, or alternating current, this DC power must be changed into AC power with the use of and Inverter. PV panels were an American invention in the 1950s, but today 90% of all PV panels are manufactured outside of the United States.
Many towns and villages around the globe are currently using solar electricity as their sole source of power. The government of India is striving to make rooftop solar panels mandatory buildings over 3,000 square feet. This is starting to happen in the USA as well. Municipalities are finding that the use of PV panels is greatly reducing the utility costs for the city. Several high end housing developments in Colorado are requiring that rooftop solar panel systems be installed on each home. Even though Wind Turbines produce more electrical output, they also require maintenance, and their installation is a major engineering feat. PV panels, on the other hand, require almost no maintenance for years on end, and are quite easily installed.
In 2009, former vice president Al Gore issued a challenge to America; could we become 100% carbon-free by 2020 or 2030? And could the entire planet also derive 100% of it's electricity from solar, wind, and water? It's a lofty goal, but one which needs serious consideration, not only from a climate standpoint, but from a sustainability standpoint. After all, there is a finite amount of fossil fuels to be harvested, whereas there is an unlimited supply of sunshine and wind.
And what about the cost of PV power vs. grid power? The cost of PV has been greatly reduced over the past few years; not only are more factories making the panels, but the technology is advancing in leaps and bounds, and the 2'x3' panel that once produced 35 watts of electricity can now produce 100 watts, or even more. The saying that ''Necessity is the Mother of Invention'' is certainly demonstrated in the Solar Electric Industry. Factor into all of this the increasing costs of mass producing electricity at large power plants, and the cost of sending that power over transmission lines, and the economic value of Sustainable Energy looks better every day.
As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, under Sec. 1251, "all public electric utilities are now required to make available upon request net metering to their customers." This means that any home or business which generates electricity from the sun or wind can, by means of a Grid Innertie device, sell their excess electricity to the public utility company in their area.
The final two factors to consider when asking if solar electricity generated from photovoltaic solar energy is a viable alternative are these.
1) American taxpayers subsidize the fossil fuel industry with billions of dollars annually. Between 2002 and 2008 it was $72.4 billion. During that same time period, $29 billion was spent to subsidize renewable energy; unfortunately, half of that was for corn ethanol production, which has been shown to not only waste vast amounts of our dwindling water supply, but also waste a food source which would be put to better use in feeding the millions of people around the globe. It is estimated by the United Nations that 50,000 people starve to death every day, 18,000 of whom are children. In truth, if subsidies to all energy were ended, solar would certainly be the most economical source of electricity.
2) The National Power Grid is vulnerable to large outages caused not only by fires, explosions, and other man made mishaps, but also by natural disasters such as ice storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Those who have lived through brown-outs or black-outs can attest to the inconvenience, as well as the economic consequences, of such events. Today it is the threat of terrorism to the Power Grid that is causing the most concern. The government task force on Cyber Terrorism is keeping a constant eye on the vulnerable Power Grid, for without the electricity that it produces, our country would come to a halt.
When a home, a business, or a town produces its own electricity, and therefore eliminates the need to rely totally on the National Grid, it is much less likely to be effected by large outages, and can even be protected from terrorist attacks. If a home produces 100% of its own power, then no matter what happens to the rest of the Grid, that home will be able to maintain itself completely. There may be no electricity "on the outside" to run the TV and radio stations, or the Internet, but the home itself will continue to have water and power and heat. So it is with a resounding YES that we answer the question, "Is Solar Electricity Generated From Photovoltaic Solar Energy a Viable Alternative?"
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Annie Whitney is a Relationship and Internet Sponsoring Expert, specializing in helping others generate Leads & Cash Flow. She has also lived off of the grid since 1971. For more about her experiences, click here => Living Off Of The Grid
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