Solar Energy Essay, Research Paper

A livable society in which all essential sources of man-made energy, which is virtually pollution-free and affordable, seems impossible. Although such a concept seems like science fiction today, real efforts are underway to assure that by the late 21st century, what once seemed like a dream, will be reality. This dream is slowly being achieved through improved conservation methods and what will become decades long restructuring of our energy economy. During this time, innovative energy technologies will be developed, implemented, and through increased demand, become affordable by taking advantage of economies-of-scale and learning-by-doing.

Evidence of moving in this direction seems clear. Photovoltaic, solar cells that make electricity, and fuel cell technologies are rapidly improving. Energy companies have made projections of evolution, and large-scale investments are underway. Several large photovolatic projects in the multihundred-million-dollar range have begun to flow. BP Solar, Enron Corp., AMOCO, and Siemens-Solar are big players. BP Solar recently announced its commitment to achieve revenues of $1 billion per year by 2007 and to bring manufacturing costs down to a level consistent with large-scale use in buildings.

Although there is no fuel cell-powered electric vehicle on the market yet, both Toyota and Mercedes-Benz have demonstrated prototype vehicles at this year s Japanese Auto Show, using methanol as fuel. The Chrysler Company has announced plans to go into large-scale production of a fuel-cell-powered van by 2005.

Governments are also beginning to react on technological opportunities. The Netherlands has a solar village. Japan now pays half the cost of rooftop solar energy plates. The Clinton administration announced a program to install 1 million rooftops units in the United States by the year 2010. And in India, the state government of Rajasthan hopes to get ahead of the rest of the world to become the world leader in generating solar electricity.

Solar panels are an ideal source of electricity, which is the most versatile form of energy. Photovoltlaic power, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage are the key enabling technologies. Photovolatic power will be an important source of electric power and later on, hydrogen will become the nonpolluting substitute for liquid fuels for motor vehicles and aircrafts. It is easily obtained form fossil hydrocarbons by catalysts means.

Photovolatic cells do not cause acid rain or carbon dioxide emissions. Its manufacture can cause containable pollution; it does not cause strip mines, nuclear waste, or oil spills. As electricity consumption continues to rise around the world, a power source with these advantages could ameliorate the environmental toll of industrialization.

Solar cell technology dates back to 1839 when French physicist Antoine-Cesar Becquerel observed that shining light on an electrode submerged in a conductive solution would create an electric current. In 1941, American, Russell Ohl, invented a silicon solar cell.

Improved solar cells became a reliable source of electricity for satellites, but their price scared electric utility companies, so they were only used when cheaper alternatives were unavailable. To many users of photovolatics, the decision was environmentally conscious. They wanted to avoid fossil and nuclear power.

As for automobiles, using solar energy will allow for less carbon dioxide emissions and a cleaner environment.

I chose the topic of solar energy because I am supportive of having a more energy conscious environment. Although the solar energy panels are expensive, I feel that in the long run they will save money.