Making Solar Energy Economical

Making Solar Energy Economical

 The history of human inventions and advancement in technology cannot be mentioned without direct reference to engineering. From the ancient period of the Stone Age to the shipbuilding age and the development of nuclear power, one fact remains unquestioned, and that is the rise of several marvels attributed to the level of the engineering prowess. However, this is not to say that there are no challenges that demands attention from engineers. As a matter of fact, there have been consistent grand challenges which demands urgent attention from engineers (Bak et al., 2002). One such challenge rests in making the solar energy economical.

Utilization of solar energy has not been substantially undertaken in the 21st century. This is against the need to have a constant supply of secure, clean, green and sustainable energy (Bak et al., 2002). There is no doubt that tapping into solar energy as an alternative to the commonly used fossil fuels has been widely mentioned but still remains as a technical challenge that faces engineers today. Solar energy utilization demands the use of solar panel to capture and later store the energy to be used for other purposes. The main challenge surrounding this process is the high cost per Watt of delivered electricity as compared to that of fossil fuels. As a matter of fact, solar energy is diffuse and that the materials used to make it amounts to a significant amount of costs which is not economical in the long run (Beccali et al., 2003).

The fossil fuel are much cost-effective both in storing and distributing energy as compared to solar energy. The challenge here is, therefore, for engineers to make solar energy efficiency close to that posted by fossil fuels. Also, with the ever-expensive storage mechanism for solar power, the solar electricity seems not to fit the current demands of the society. This is perhaps very telling since it opposes the fact that the world needs cheap, efficient and clean energy.

The challenge is relevant going by the fact that the global energy consumption is on the rise while the fossil fuel is drastically reducing. Also, the world needs to reduce the effects of global warming which has been occasioned by the use of fossil fuels and nuclear energy. In line with this fact, engineers would find it more relevant to look at ways through which they can tap more solar energy for daily consumption.

Solutions to the Challenge

As earlier stated, the materials used to develop solar energy are relatively expensive. This is attributed to the need to have pure materials which will not block the flow of electric charge within the new solar energy system. To solve this existing challenge, engineers need to develop an integrated capture, where charges would be made to travel for a shorter distance through a thin layer of material. However, this might not be possible because thin layers are not good absorbers of light energy. According to Mateus & Oliveira, (2009) engineers should design a material which is thick in one direction for it to absorb sunlight, and equally thin in the other to efficiently allow charges to travel easily.

In storing solar energy, the engineers need to borrow the nature’s design as manifested by the photosynthetic process as commonly witnessed in green plants. In this case, the chemical bonds will be broken and converted to solar fuels. For example, engineers could use sunlight to power the electrolysis of water which subsequently generates hydrogen fuel. The resultant fuel can then be used to power electricity generating devices with the by-product being environmental-friendly. However, the process of splitting water would require the development of a catalysts. It is therefore, necessary for engineers to come up with appropriate catalyst which will enhance the development of a solar storage system for the society. In summary, the engineering challenges of this nature can only be met by improving the solar cell design, creating a sustainable storage mechanism, and reducing the cost of materials by adopting alternatives which are more affordable and efficient.

The solutions advanced towards harnessing solar power have got some far-reaching advantages as well as limitations. Once developed, the solar energy will serve as a better alternative to the non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels and nuclear energy (Lewis & Nocera, 2006). Secondly, the solar energy will provide clean energy which is essentially what is required globally. The only limitation to this challenge is the need for immense research to find out the suitable materials for this process.

References

Bak, T., Nowotny, J., Rekas, M., & Sorrell, C. C. (2002). Photo-electrochemical hydrogen generation from water using solar energy. Materials-related aspects. International journal of hydrogen energy, 27(10), 991-1022.

Beccali, M., Cellura, M., & Mistretta, M. (2003). Decision-making in energy planning. Application of the Electre method at regional level for the diffusion of renewable energy technology. Renewable energy, 28(13), 2063-2087.

Lewis, N. S., & Nocera, D. G. (2006). Powering the planet: Chemical challenges in solar energy utilization. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103(43), 15729-15735.

Mateus, T., & Oliveira, A. C. (2009). Energy and economic analysis of an integrated solar absorption cooling and heating system in different building types and climates. Applied Energy, 86(6), 949-957.