The idea of the solar car is relatively new on the market and holds very real promise. If successful, the solar car will offer the ability to drive anywhere without burning any environmentally damaging fuels.
When we think of major environmental issues facing our world today, we often think of the tremendous impact that the human-caused increase in carbon dioxide emissions has had. It is impossible to overlook the impact that cars and many other forms of modern transportation have had on these levels. Cars, in particular, have played a disproportionate role in many of our complicated pollution and energy problems.
Because of this substantial impact, many working toward the reduction of traditional energy sources in favor of more sustainable alternatives are focusing their efforts on developing a better vehicle. Numerous designs and alternatives ranging from public transportation models to reduce the number of vehicles to carpooling apps have been tested, and some have even had some level of success in the marketplace. One of the more promising designs that stick to an American “driver-oriented” lifestyle is the solar car.
The idea of the solar car is relatively new on the market and holds very real promise. If successful, the solar car will offer the ability to drive anywhere without burning any environmentally damaging fuels or needed to plug in for a charge; it runs completely, as the name suggests, on solar energy. It is an extremely tantalizing idea for those of us looking to reduce humanity’s carbon footprint.
Solar cars are quickly becoming a reality that many are very excited about. In fact, the first solar vehicle may hit the road in 2019. The technology is still somewhat in its infancy and needs to have some time to work out unexpected issues. However, solar cars could be on their way to regular people’s driveways in the near future.
There are a number of significant health and environmental problems associated with the current status quo in transportation. Although still in the early stages of their development, solar cars offer real promise and a way forward in combating these issues. Early models are promising, and it may not be long before the solar car becomes a regular sight on a road near you.
Solar Power is the ultimate sustainable power option.
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Do you need help writing a grant request for your solar energy project?
One of the most crucial jobs for people seeking government funding is
that of the Grant Writer. The function of a Grant Writer is to gather
documentation and fulfill the necessary requirements of various funding
bodies to formally seek funding on behalf of their clients. For many
applications, grants from various foundations and other funding
organizations are their life’s blood and primary funding mechanism. it
is the work of the Grant Writer that provides the largest most
consistent blocks of funding for grants. http://www.dacapra.com
Starting in 2020, California will become the first state in the nation to require all newly built homes to be solar-powered. And many developers are figuring out how to comply with the new rules while keeping their houses affordable.
The California Building Standards Commission approved the mandate this month, finalizing a unanimous vote from the California Energy Commission in May as part of the state’s ongoing battle against climate change. The rule applies to all single-family and multifamily residences of three stories or fewer.
“Solar was always considered a luxury item in the past. Now it’s going to be a necessity,” said Dan Spiegel, president, and co-founder of DMS Contractors, a developer based in Santa Monica.
Solar Power is the
ultimate sustainable power option.
Do you need help writing a
grant request for your solar energy project? One of the most crucial jobs for
people seeking government funding is that of the Grant Writer. The function of
a Grant Writer is to gather documentation and fulfill the necessary requirements
of various funding bodies to formally seek funding on behalf of their clients.
For many applications, grants from various foundations and other funding
organizations are their life’s blood and primary funding mechanism. it is the
work of the Grant Writer that provides the largest most consistent blocks of
funding for grants. http://www.dacapra.com
Solar technologies have evolved a lot since they first made their debut in the 1960s. While previously solar photovoltaics (PV) were seen as a thing of the future, today, technological breakthroughs have positioned the industry for huge growth.
A series of new developments in solar PV technology also promise to contribute to the industry's success.
Researchers have long looked for ways to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar cells - the lifeblood of solar PV systems. A solar PV array is comprised of hundreds, sometimes thousands of solar cells, that individually convert radiant sunlight into electrical currents. The average solar cell is approximately 15% efficient, which means nearly 85% of the sunlight that hits them does not get converted into electricity. As such, scientists have constantly been experimenting with new technologies to boost this light capture and conversion.
Light-Sensitive Nanoparticles. Recently, a group of scientists at the University of Toronto unveiled a new type of light-sensitive nanoparticle called colloidal quantum dots, that many believe will offer a less expensive and more flexible material for solar cells. Specifically, the new materials use n-type and p-type semiconductors - but ones that can actually function outdoors. This is a unique discovery since previous designs weren't capable of functioning outdoors and therefore not practical applications for the solar market. University of Toronto researchers discovered that n-type materials bind to oxygen - the new colloidal quantum dots don't bind to air and therefore can maintain their stability outside. This helps increase radiant light absorption. Panels using this new technology were found to be up to eight percent more efficient at converting sunlight.
Gallium Arsenide. Researchers at Imperial College University in London believe they have discovered a new material - gallium arsenide - that could make solar PV systems nearly three times more efficient than existing products on the market. The solar cells are called "triple junction cells" and they're much more efficient because they can be chemically altered in a manner that optimizes sunlight capture. The model uses a sensor-driven window blind that can track sunlight along with "light-pipes" that guide the light into the system.
Advances in Energy Storage
Another major focus of scientists is to find new ways to store energy produced by solar PV systems. Currently, electricity is largely a "use it or lose it" type resource whereby once it's generated by a solar PV system (or any type of fuel source) the electricity goes onto the grid and must be used immediately or be lost. Since the sunlight does not shine twenty four hours a day, this means that most solar PV systems are only meeting electrical demands for a portion of the day - as a result, a lot of electricity is lost, if it's not used. There are a number of batteries on the market that can store this energy, but even the most high-tech ones are fairly inefficient; they're also expensive and have a pretty short shelf life, making them not the most attractive options for utility companies and consumers. That is why scientists are exploring different ways to store this electricity so that it can be used on-demand.
Molten Salt Storage Technology. A company called Novatec Solar recently commissioned a promising energy storage solution for solar PV systems using a molten salt storage technology. The process uses inorganic salts to transfer energy generated by solar PV systems into solar thermal using heat transfer fluid rather than oils as some storage systems have. The result is that solar plants can operate at temperatures over 500 degrees Celsius, which would result in a much higher power output. This means that costs to store solar would be lowered significantly and utility companies could finally use solar power plants as baseload plants rather than to meet peak demand during prime daylight hours.
Solar Panel with Built-In Battery. In a project funded by the United States Department of Energy, Ohio State University researchers recently announced they created a battery that is 20% more efficient and 25% cheaper than anything on the market today. The secret to the design is that the rechargeable battery is built into the solar panel itself, rather than operating as two standalone systems. By conjoining the two into one system, scientists said they could lower costs by 25% compared to existing products.
Advances in Solar Cell Manufacturing
Another area that has made solar PV technologies cost prohibitive compared to traditional fuel sources is the manufacturing process. Scientists are also focused on ways to improve the efficiency of how solar components are manufactured.
Magnesium Chloride. While over ninety percent of solar panels on the market today are comprised of silicon semiconductors, the key ingredient to converting sunlight into electricity, many believe the next generation of solar panels will be made of a thin-film technology that uses narrow coatings of cadmium telluride in solar cells - this technology promises to be a much cheaper and more efficient way to engage the photovoltaic process. One major obstacle for cadmium telluride thin-film cells is that they become highly unstable during the manufacturing process, which currently uses cadmium chloride. Researchers have devised a new, safe and seemingly low-cost way to overcome this hurdle by using a material called magnesium chloride in replace of cadmium chloride. Magnesium chloride is recovered from seawater, an abundant resource, which makes the resource very low cost, as well as non-toxic. Replacing the manufacturing process with this material promises to increase the efficiency of these solar cells from two percent to up to fifteen percent.
New Solar Applications
When most people think of solar PV systems they think of them atop roofs or mounted for industrial-scale use. But researchers are exploring a number of unconventional solar applications that could promise to transform the industry.
Solar Roadways. Scientists are exploring ways to actually line highways and roads with solar panels that would then be used to deploy large amounts of electricity to the grid. This would help overcome a major barrier to industrial-scale solar, which opponents say threatens to take up too much land. Solar roadways have already popped up in the Netherlands.
Floating Solar. Another way to address land-use concerns associated with wide-scale solar is to erect solar plants on the water since over 70% of the Earth's surface is covered in water. Some researchers, including a French firm called Ciel et Terre, are experimenting with this technology. The company has projects set up in France, Japan, and England and other parts of the world are also piloting projects including a project in India and California in the U.S.
Space-Based Solar. Scientists are resurrecting a technology that was first tested over forty years ago in which space-based satellites capture sunlight and convert it into microwave energy that is then beamed back to earth. This type of technology promises to capture significant more amount of sunlight (nearly ninety percent) since satellites can be positioned to optimize light capture round the clock. India, China, and Japan are investing heavily in these technologies right now.
There’s good news for those who claim there’s nothing new under the sun when it comes to saving on energy bills. Experts say new benefits and current conditions are making solar
energy systems a practical reality for a growing number of homeowners.
With rising energy prices and concerns for the environment and about national security, homeowners are looking at solar energy options. A new federal tax credit, plus some state and local incentives, encourages adopting solar systems. The government offers a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of a solar electric or solar water heating system. There is no cap for business owners; homeowners receive a maximum $2,000 credit for each system installed.
These credits make solar energy systems a feasible solution for hot water heating and electricity production for many building owners. Many homeowners already benefit from solar heating for their pools and spas without government incentives.
“As awareness grows, along with summer air-conditioning bills, we expect thousands more to consider their solar options
An example of this specific phenomenon was apparent was in the early 70’s, when there was a crude oil trade embargo and hence, no gasoline. Substitute energies began to pop up here and there with many people jumping on the bandwagon. But, gasoline soon returned in plentiful supplies and
Where did solar go?
Solar power for the home was a big seller during the energy crisis of the 70’s. Many houses found tripods of solar panels on their roofs gathering what power they could. These units were found mostly in environmentally sensitive Arizona, but soon they were found across the World. Unfortunately, the solar power cell of the 70’s just wasn’t all that cost-effective and cost quite a bit to put in and maintain. As fossil fuel returned to the marketplace there was diminutive need for solar cells in a time of flagrant consumption. But the idea of solar energy was a good one and many trailblazers understood that it was a good idea that had yet to find its time. Solar panels never went away; they just slid back into the laboratory to await solar panel 2.0.
Solar is back and ready
Today’s solar panel is not your father’s solar panel. Depending upon which type of energy you care to generate, electricity or hot water, today’s solar panel has come a very long way in the form of photovoltaic’s and will go further still. These cells, when combined into panel form, turn the suns rays (so-to-speak) right into power ready for use. They have also become exceedingly efficient, more environmentally sound and less expensive. Today’s solar panel will sit almost anywhere and is quickly finding itself being turned into a panel the thickness of a nano particle. Solar power technology is running at an extremely fast pace and driving costs down to an affordable level.
Who’s using the panels?
As mentioned, it takes a change in the purse strings to see a marked change in a consumer’s behavior. With a technology and paradigm shift on the order of solar panels, it requires a solid leap forward in panel efficiency, costs of panels, associated elements and an increase in existing costs of fuel. When these factors reach critical mass solar panels start to show up, not at the consumer level, but at the corporate and industrial level. This is simply because business moves its money where the costs-over time-are less. This is just good business. Solar panels are now, as in this past two years, become more cost-effective for industry to use than to not use them over time.
Why solar panels now?
Solar panels are now being used primarily because fuel costs are just too high to ignore in favor of a new technology that is worth checking out. Companies have available empty roof space and the choice of trying something on a larger scale to see if it works versus continuing to pay higher fuel bills and environmental costs. The whole concept is extremely self-serving. There is no environmental consideration involved. If the company doesn’t use solar panels they have to pay fuel costs and air clean-up expenses along with variable fuel charges. They try out the solar panels and see if they work now. If they do, the company can; commit to a full solar panel program with even more efficient solar panels, significantly reduce fuel costs and almost eliminate air cleaning needs along the way.
There is little environmental about it. It’s just good business. After industry gets rolling, solar panel costs will drop like a stone and the consumer will jump on board because…it’s just good business.
unconventional energy sources fell beneath the average consumers' radar screen again. Now, in 2009, the common consumer is seeing petrol prices move higher and found a realization that global warming will be affecting finances soon. Substitute energy is back in the sentiments of the ordinary consumer and, maybe, this time for good.
Solar Power is the
ultimate sustainable power option.
Do you need help writing a
grant request for your solar energy project? One of the most crucial jobs for
people seeking government funding is that of the Grant Writer. The function of
a Grant Writer is to gather documentation and fulfill the necessary requirements
of various funding bodies to formally seek funding on behalf of their clients.
For many applications, grants from various foundations and other funding
organizations are their life’s blood and primary funding mechanism. it is the
work of the Grant Writer that provides the largest most consistent blocks of
funding for grants. http://www.dacapra.com
The Energy Department supports a number of grant, loan and financing
programs. Learn more about these programs and how they can help you --
whether you are a startup energy business looking to launch a pilot
project, a company with proven technology that needs help reaching
commercial scale, or a state, local or tribal government looking for
funding resources for energy projects.
Traditional sources of electrical power generation are running out as
production will peak in the next decade but demand will continue to rise.
Energy prices will continue to rise at a higher rate as well as the number of
outages during peak hours. There is the obvious problem of the pollution we are
causing to our environment.
From my perspective, the world’s energy needs vary greatly; there is no clear
single solution to the problem of supplying the world’s energy.
All forms of energy production have issues associated with them, i. e. -
Solar PV (Photovoltaic) systems effectively deliver three to five hours of peak
power per day at roughly 10 Watts per square foot. Not one square inch of new
land would be required to site PV. Theoretically, there are adequate
residential, commercial, Government rooftops, and parking structures in
California to power a substantial percentage of our State’s electrical needs
from solar.
In Southern California, solar produces a net energy gain in approximately three
years. This means that within three years, PV systems begin producing more
energy than the energy spent in producing the system and its raw materials.
Best of all, the energy produced cost zero emissions.
At today’s prices, a typical solar system costs approximately $8.00/watt,
installed and has an operating life in excess of 25 years. For all intents and
purposes, maintenance and operating costs are minimal. Now there are systems
available for rent. Companies such as Citizens at www.jointhesolution.com/rethink-solar
allow you to create solar power of a unit that is installed, maintained and
monitored by them. You merely pay the monthly rental fee for your clean
electricity which is the same price as you pay the electric company for your
electricity. Also, they allow you to lock in a rate now for up to 25 years so
you are paying the same price throughout the entire contract.
3. The Results:
Solar energy increases the diversity of power and adds stability to a fossil
fuel favored energy structure while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
4. The Benefits:
— Solar can be quickly deployed at the point of use, reducing the need for
additional transmission and distribution infrastructure, and cost thereof.
— Solar operates most efficiently at midday when grid demand is at its peak.
By decreasing the strain during peak hours, the longevity of existing power
plants and infrastructure is extended, lowering further the cost of energy
production.
— By deploying solar over time the cumulative effect of the installed base is
impressive. Given its 25-year life, within 10 to 20 years, a respectable
portion of California’s energy could be supplied by solar.
— Once installed, the cost is fixed. In comparison to traditional sources of
energy, the fuel cost is nonexistent, and operational costs are limited. A
solar system’s cost is amortized over its life, there are no rate hikes due to
fuel or operating cost increases.
5. An Investment in the Future:
There are some negatives. Presently, solar costs more than traditional energy
generation. Its efficient use is limited to daylight hours unless storage is
employed. Admittedly, the solar industry today is not large enough to address
all of our needs. The solar industry does not have the financial influence to
compete with existing utilities, which typically oppose PV, within political
circles. (Industry revenues globally represent only 3.0B/year). Globally, the
industry has experienced an annual growth rate in excess of 18% in over a
decade. This rate of growth is equivalent to that of semiconductors,
telecommunications and computer industries.
Check out the following link to see if your home will benefit from "going solar" with our Power Efficiency Guide:
