Recently we have been hearing more frequently about solar power. It seems as though you cannot turn on the TV, listen to the radio or read the newspaper without being exposed to renewable energy, solar power, solar energy and solar PV (photovoltaic). What is it and why all this talk about solar PV?
Three reasons for the attention are that solar PV is:
- Distributed
- Renewable
- Scalable
Distributed
The era of centralized power generation where a few large power plants produce electricity is quickly coming to an end. Due to improvements in technology, the power grids of the future will feature distributed power generation from multiple sources located closer to the loads consuming the electricity. Solar PV is one such technology which allows for a highly distributed generation system.
Centralized vs decentralized power grid
Image credit: ILSR (Institute for Local Self-Reliance)
Renewable
As the name implies, solar photovoltaic systems utilize energy from the sun. With another 5-7 billion years to go, energy from the sun will continue to be available far into the future. Unlike the finite reserves of energy stored in the ground, the sun’s energy is available every day from a virtually infinite source.
Our almost limitless energy source
Scalable
Perhaps the most advantageous and certainly unique characteristic of solar PV is its scalability. Systems can be scaled up or down to meet any power requirement. The pictures below show how vast the range can be from very small loads to very large ones.
Solar powered toy car
Solar powered calculator
Solar powered flashlight
Barbadian bus stop lighting powered by solar PV
Residential solar system
Photo credit: www.Barbados.org
Solar carport in St. Michael, Barbados
Commercial solar project in St. Michael, Barbados
Utility scale solar farm in Pennsylvania
Photo credit: Community Energy Inc.
As you can see from the images above solar can power your electronic gadgets, your home, your business, your country and it is capable of powering the world.