Why solar? Why we need solar energy?

[sunnyzhao]

Solar is the fastest growing energy source in the world, and for good reason. It offers a limitless supply of clean, safe, renewable energy for heat and power. And it’s more affordable, more efficient, and more reliable than ever.

The advantages of Solar and other renewable power sources are clear: greater independence from imported fossil fuels, a cleaner environment, diversity of power sources, relief from the volatility of energy prices, more jobs and greater domestic economic development. All over the world, solar energy systems have reduced the need to build more carbon-spewing fossil-fueled power plants. They are critical weapons in the battle against global warming. As the cost of solar technologies has come down, solar is moving into the mainstream and growing worldwide at 40-50% annually.
There are currently three primary solar technologies:

• Solar (photovoltaic) energy allows electricity to be produced in the place where it is consumed, a practice known as distributed generation. Sunlight hours often coincide with peak power demand, so solar panels produce electricity when it is most needed. Reducing peak load through large-scale solar generation improves air quality and reduces the need for new polluting power plants.
• Solar thermal systems provide heat for hot water and space-heating systems for residential or commercial buildings, and can provide energy for air-conditioning in many commercial applications.
• Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is a solar thermal technology that can provide electricity at utility scale for central power plants.

 

[KM-Tiger]

Sunlight hours often coincide with peak power demand, so solar panels produce electricity when it is most needed.

That's only true in hot countries where the biggest demand is from aircon, it's certainly not true in the UK.

 

[toastking]

In the Uk it would definately be the night-time. I know for a fact that anyone who works will use more electricity when they are home than when they are at work!

I agree though that Solar power is a good idea, and that it will be increasingly used as it becomes more efficient and limited resources of other fuels lead to more people having to use the alternatives. At the moment though solar energy doesn't repay the cost of installing the panels anywhere near quickly enough.

 

[FarmerBob]

Why solar seems a bit of a no brainer to me. The sun has the potential to provide us with thousands of times the amount of energy that the human race currently requires and we don't have to worry about what to do when it runs out because the human race will be gone by that time anyway!

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

You ever been to Scotland?

In scotland we choose wind, rain, sea power over solar power.

 

[sunnyzhao]

You ever been to Scotland?

In scotland we choose wind, rain, sea power over solar power.

that right,

In Europe, there is German, Spain, Greece and other southern countries have got a good sunshine and good for solar power.

the northern countries in Eu, mostly using the Wind rather than Solar.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Sunny,what happens when the wind stops blowing?

 

[sunnyzhao]

Sunny,what happens when the wind stops blowing?

in small project like home use, the power generated by the wind mills will be stored in a battery system, so when wind stops blow, you still can use the power from battery through an Inverter.


In large project, the power generated by the wind mills will send to the power grid( or called utility) directly.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Sunny,what happens when the wind stops blowing?

 

[Morganian]

check out the BIG RETURN thread re solar

 

[Cornish Steve]

You mean the "big return if you're willing to bet that the government will finance huge subsidies over the next 25 years so that you can reap a decent return over that time period" thread.

 

[David Griffiths]

You ever been to Scotland?

In scotland we choose wind, rain, sea power over solar power.

Yet you're from sunny Troon? Or was that only on the day that you joined!

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

Today, I have to admit, is a tad windy

However, we will at some point, even today, have a burst of brilliant sunshine, that will make me forget the wind and rain.

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

Sunny,what happens when the wind stops blowing?

The tide never stops turning...................:|

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Aye,can't argue with that.See that thing they have in Northern Ireland at the entrance to one of the sea loughs.It never stops.And IIRC it powers 60,000 houses!

BBC linky thing.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8569006.stm

 

[ecohome]

check out the BIG RETURN thread re solar

Anyone know where to find this thread. I cant seem to come up with it?

Thanks

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Anyone know where to find this thread. I cant seem to come up with it?

Thanks

IIRC this is the one.
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=169509

 

[ecohome]

Thanks a lot...

 

[Mike Hussey]

In Europe, German, Spain, Greece and other southern countries have got a good sunshine and good for solar energy.
but not for UK .

 

[Searcher]

Pv doesn't require direct sunlight Mike, it's daylight which matters so it does still work in the UK.

 

[Searcher]

Yes we know we should shift our energy source from conventional source to unconventional source like solar energy.

But solar energy proves to be costly so I think government should provide enough subsidy to the customers so that it can be implemented at large scale.

I agree. The FiT is possibly the most expensive way of getting people to install the panels. Take a £10,000 installation which might generate £1000 per year for 25 years giving an actual total pay-out of £25,000 by the Utilities. Whilst the cost to the consumer was £10k the actual cost to instal will be nearer £5k giving the installer 50% margins (***) It would be far more cost effective to (1) give the installer his £5k cost plus (2) his profit split over a year or two.

Also, doing it this way the £25k spent by the utilities could be better spent on 2.5 homes instead of just one.

(***) I know figures vary on a host of criteria and are an example only.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Why solar? It might help rid the world of some endangered species.

Incidentally, it's rather interesting to see how environmentalists turn a blind eye to wrecking landscapes and threatening species when seeking billions in tax payer money to fund their supposedly green projects.

 

[Cornish Steve]

But solar energy proves to be costly so I think government should provide enough subsidy to the customers so that it can be implemented at large scale.

Let's put that another way: Solar power is not financially viable, and it's questionable whether it ever will be. Why should the government be allowed to 'steal' money from wage earners to fund expensive pet projects that will ultimately go nowhere?

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Until we get to a point when PV panels are more than 20% efficient,this is all just window dressing.

 

[4success]

Solar power is safe and can not be interrupted by the actions of others unlike nuclear (remember Churnovol or the reactor in Japan) and the oil pipe lines from Russia.
The EU directive guarantees feeder tariffs for 25 years (inflation linked to whatever falling rate is in force when you join the scheme) although photovoltaic cells normally pay for themselves within 10 years.
This explains why there are some companies offering free installation of solar panels especially if they also get to keep the climate change levy that the government currently puts on energy bills.
For more information see the work of a group of volunteers at Reading Energy Pioneers.org.uk

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

When will the (mainly) Chinese learn that the climate in the UK is quite different from that in China.

Barrie

 

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