Iberdrola Spearheading Photovoltaic Solar Power
We are leaders in solar energy.
In keeping with the our pledge to combat climate change, Iberdrola group is wagering on renewables to drive the energy transition and the much-needed and electrification of the economy. The group plans to invest 150bn until 2030, which would bring its renewable capacity to 95 GW by the end of this decade.
for this reason, just in 2020, 874 MW of new installed solar capacity was reached. Iberdrola owns greatest photovoltaic power plant in operation in Europe Núñez de Balboa, in the Spanish province of Badajoz, producing 500 MWp and plans to build an even larger plant: Francisco Pizarro, in the province of Cáceres, which is set to produce 590 MWp.
But the group’s work to boost solar power has only just begun. Iberdrola plans to invest 4.2 billion between 2020 and 2022 and 5.5 billion between 2023 and 2025, which will mean a growth of 6 GW and 8 GW respectively.
How Exactly Is Electricity From Solar Energy Produced
Solar panels are usually made from silicon installed in a metal panel frame with a glass casing. When photons, or particles of light, hit the thin layer of silicon on the top of a solar panel, they knock electrons off the silicon atoms.
This PV charge creates an electric current , which is captured by the wiring in solar panels. This DC electricity is then converted to alternating current by an inverter. AC is the type of electrical current used when you plug appliances into normal wall sockets.
Can Concentrated Solar Power Get A Do
To lean on old sports cliché, it’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish.
In the U.S., concentrated solar power’s startcan be summarized as a sputter. After several starts and stops over the past 30 years, CSP’s operational capacity in the U.S. is roughly 1.8 GW. Solar photovoltaic technology, meanwhile, claims about 113.5 GW of capacity, with most of its growth occurring over the past decade, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
So, why is the Biden administration investing up to $30 million in CSP research and development? The Department of Energy is offering $25 million to fund CSP research, development, and demonstration and another $5 million for novel projects.
Experts say CSP could be key to helping the U.S. reach ambitious decarbonization goals. It just needs a do-over.
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Just How Renewable Is Solar Energy Examining This Clean Power Source
In any given hour, the sun sends down enough energy in the form of to power our entire planet for a whole year.1 And since NASA expects the sun to be around for another 4.5 billion years, Earth will enjoy plenty of sunlight for a long, long, long time.
Because solar can quickly be regenerated and is literally always available without needing eons of production time , solar energy is renewable by every possible traditional definition. In fact, its the fastest growing renewable energy source in the market today in terms of acceptance, technology, and electricity generating capacity.2
However, some environmental and sustainability advocates express concerns about the expansion of the solar power industry. Specifically, they have issues with the materials and processes involved in the creation of the solar panel technology used to generate electricity.
Our goal with this article is to make the case that solar power truly is renewable energy by facing those constructive criticisms head-on. Because if were going to combat climate change, decrease global warming, and reduce our carbon footprint by decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels, the solar industry has to be a committed leader.
When Was Solar Power Discovered
Solar energy was used by humans as early as the 7th century B.C., when humans used sunlight to light fires by reflecting the suns rays onto shiny objects. Later, in 3rd century B.C., the Greeks and Romans harnessed solar power with mirrors to light torches for religious ceremonies.
In 1839 and at the age of just 19, French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect while experimenting with a cell made of metal electrodes in a conducting solution. He noted that the cell produced more electricity when it was exposed to light.
In 1954 photovoltaic technology was born when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson developed the silicon PV cell at Bell Labs in 1954 the first solar cell capable of converting enough of the sun’s energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment.
Today satellites, spacecraft orbiting Earth, are powered by solar energy.
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What Are The Benefits Of Renewable Energy
The obvious benefit of renewable energy sources is that we have an endless supply and therefore, they are more sustainable. We are using non-renewable energy sources like coal and oil faster than we can keep up with, meaning it will inevitably run out in the near future. By switching to renewable energy, we become more self-sufficient and ensure we will be able to sustain ourselves in the future.
Renewable energy sources are also far better for the environment. Non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels create greenhouses gases, which contribute to global warming. It also increases air pollution, which can lead to health issues like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly even cancer. In switching to cleaner, greener energy sources, we improve the longevity of both planet earth and the human race.
Using renewable energy sources is also kinder to your wallet. The cost of renewable energy is falling rapidly in Australia, with solar panels becoming the cheapest energy source. Once your solar panels are installed, you no longer have to pay for electricity during the day all the energy you generate is free.
Can You Get Solar Panels For Free
It is not possible to get free solar panels in the UK anymore. The free solar panels scheme was offered by solar panel providers in the past, during the peak of the Feed-in Tariff .
Solar panel providers would offer to install solar panels for free, allowing homeowners to use the electricity generated to power their homes. In return, these providers would collect the FIT payments, making it a profitable arrangement for the business.
As the FIT payment amounts decreased over time, this setup became less commercially beneficial for suppliers. Once the FIT came to an end entirely in 2019, free solar panels were no longer available.
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Why Opt For Renewable Energy
Whether its Rhode Island or the golden state of California, solar installations are a very good investment to make in your home. As a form of renewable energy, the solar market generates energy that produces no harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
There are more incentives, including reduced dependence on imported fuels and economic developments in top solar states. Sunny days will be ahead if you switch from fossil fuels to residential solar energy systems.
Two Chief Criticisms Of Solar Energy As Renewable Energy
Since the process of creating electricity via solar systems doesnt create any emissions in the form of greenhouse gases, youd think most people regard solar energy as really green and eco-friendly. And youd be right. Most of the time. In truth, some environmental advocates have shown concern about the processes involved in creating the actual solar panels.8 They rightly worry that the environmental impact of developing the technology might outweigh the green benefits of solar energy.
We want to address the two biggest issues head-on, because we do believe that solar energy systems are both renewable and the future of the entire energy industry.9
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Which States Are Best For Solar
- Solar Panels /
- Which States are Best for Solar?
Solar energy is the new future. Whether you live in sunny California, Arizona, New Hampshire, or on the borders of New Mexico, as homeowners, you need to invest in renewable sources of energy. Technological advances alongside the solar industry and solar adoption have led to incredible national average growth.
Adopting solar energy in America has led to a 167 per cent increase in solar jobs over the past decade. This means you need to know Americas top states for residential solar technology.
Contents
Main Factors Affecting Solar Panel Efficiency
Youll want to maximise your solar panel efficiency to get the most out of your solar investment and to cut your expenditure on utility bills. Key factors to consider are location, angling, direction, roof suitability, size of the solar panel system, and correct maintenance. Let’s have a look one by one.
1. Location, Angle, and Direction
Is the PV system located and angled so that solar cells can capture the maximum amount of sunlight? In the UK, you want to ensure that your solar panels are exposed to sunlight from 9 am to 3 pm.
Assessing your roofs suitability to withstand solar panels is a crucial step in determining the efficiency of the system. The orientation and angle of your roof have a lot to do with how much sunlight exposure your panels will get.
The optimal direction for solar panels is south-facing, as it would mean the panels are exposed to sunlight for as long as possible. According to Stanford University, a 34° roof tilt angle is the best position for solar panels in the UK.
| Roof Angle | |
|---|---|
| 50.5% | 30.7% |
If your roof doesnt have the optimal orientation and angle, you can install brackets to adjust the angle slightly. However, get this assessed by a certified MCS installer.
Solar PV expert Joshua M. Pearce shares with GreenMatch:
2. Roof Suitability
Nowadays, most materials are suitable to hold solar panels its only slate and wooden roofs that may be too brittle.
4. Maintenance
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Types Of Photovoltaic Plants
There are two types of photovoltaic plants: those that are connected to the grid and those that are not. Within the former there are two sub-classes:
- Generator with self-consumption: part of the electricity generated is consumed by the producer and the rest is discharged onto the grid. In addition, the producer takes from the grid the energy needed to meet their demands when the unit does not supply enough.
These grid-connected installations have three basic elements:
- Inverters: they convert the direct electrical current produced by the panels into alternating current, suitable for consumption.
- Transformers: the alternating current generated by the inverters is low voltage , so a transformer is used to raise it to medium voltage .
Off-grid facilities operate inisolation and are often located in remote locations and on farms to meet lighting demands, support telecommunications and run pumps in irrigation systems. These isolated plants require two additional elements to function:
- Batteries: to store the energy produced by the panels that is not used when it is generated, the stored energy can then be used when needed.
- Controllers: to protect the battery from overcharging and prevent inefficient use of the battery.
What Are Solar Farms
Solar farms, also known as solar parks or solar fields, are large areas of land containing interconnected solar panels positioned together over many acres, to harvest large amounts of solar energy at the same time. Solar farms are designed for large-scale solar energy generation that feed directly into the grid, as opposed to individual solar panels that usually power a single home or building.
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What Are The Downsides To Solar Power
Solar panels are manufactured from various minerals that must be extracted from the earth. This mining process can degrade local ecosystems, just like mining coal and copper. In addition, panels have a limited useful lifetime, and they turn into e-waste when they are obsolete. In addition, solar power is not ideal for every locationsome places have more reliable exposure than others.
Best Solar Panel Systems For A Home
It can be difficult to find the best solar panels on the market in the UK, as there are so many different brands and models to choose from. The answer to what are the best solar panels for my home? will differ from household to household. It depends on whether you are focused on efficiency, power, size, or durability.
To help you, we have compiled a list of the 10 best solar panels in the UK.
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Solar Power For The Home: Benefits
A significant benefit to PV installation is a lower energy bill, but the magnitude of this benefit depends on the amount of solar energy that can be produced given the available conditions and the way in which utilities charge for electricity.
The first consideration is the solar irradiation levels available in the home’s geographical location. When it comes to using solar panels, being closer to the equator is generally better, but other factors must be considered. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory produces maps for the U.S. showing solar irradiation levels the tools on its website provide detailed solar information for specific locations within the U.S.
Similar maps and data are available in other countries as well, often from government environmental agencies or renewable energy organizations. Equally important is the home’s orientation for rooftop arrays, a south-facing roof without trees or other objects obstructing sunlight maximizes the available solar energy. If this is not available, panels can be mounted on external supports and installed away from the house, incurring additional costs for the extra hardware and cables.
The final benefit is the potential effect on a home’s value due to the addition of a solar array. In general, it is reasonable to assume that solar panels would raise the value of most homes.
How To Harness Solar Power
In one technique, long troughs of U-shaped mirrors focus sunlight on a pipe of oil that runs through the middle. The hot oil then boils water for electricity generation. Another technique uses moveable mirrors to focus the sun’s rays on a collector tower, where a receiver sits. Molten salt flowing through the receiver is heated to run a generator.
Other solar technologies are passive. For example, big windows placed on the sunny side of a building allow sunlight to heat-absorbent materials on the floor and walls. These surfaces then release the heat at night to keep the building warm. Similarly, absorbent plates on a roof can heat liquid in tubes that supply a house with hot water.
Solar energy is lauded as an inexhaustible fuel source that is pollution- and often noise-free. The technology is also versatile. For example, solar cells generate energy for far-out places like satellites in Earth orbit and cabins deep in the Rocky Mountains as easily as they can power downtown buildings and futuristic cars.
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Calculating Solar Power Costs
Once the above costs and benefits are determined, a solar system can theoretically be evaluated using the discounted cash flow method. Outflows at the beginning of the project would consist of installation costs , and inflows would arrive later in the form of offset electricity costs .
Rather than using DCF, the viability of solar power is usually evaluated by calculating the levelized cost of electricity , then comparing it to the cost of electricity charged by the local utility. The LCOE for household solar will typically be calculated as cost/kilowatt-hour – the same format commonly used on electricity bills. To approximate the LCOE, one can use the following equation:
LCOE = Net Present Value of the Lifetime Cost of Ownership / Lifetime Energy Output
The useful life of a PV solar module is generally assumed to be 25-40 years. The cost of ownership includes the maintenance costs, which must be discounted to find the NPV. The LCOE can then be compared to the cost of electricity from a utility remember, the relevant price is that which occurs during times at or near peak PV solar production.
Do You Need Planning Permissions For Solar Panels
In England, Scotland, and Wales, you are not required to apply for any planning permissions for most domestic solar panel installations for both PV and heating installations.
There are, however, restrictions on installations of certain sizes. If your solar panels protrude more than 200mm from your roof, you will need to apply for permission first.
In addition, if your building is within a conservation area, you will need to adhere to some planning permission guidelines.
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Solar Panel Costs Rise For The First Time In Years
Rising prices havent had a big effect on projects underway in 2021, but next years projects are more at risk. The price of installing a new solar panel on a home or business is now rising for the first time in at least seven years, according to data from the solar panel marketplace EnergySage.
So far, homeowners and businesses havent been as badly impacted by rising costs as utility companies, according to EnergySage CEO Vikram Aggarwal. Thats because shipping and materials account for a much larger percentage of the overall cost of a utility solar project than a residential or commercial project. Homeowners and businesses wind up spending much more, proportionally, on costs like hiring a contractorso if shipping and equipment costs tick up a bit, its less likely to financially make or break a project.
What’s the World Economic Forum doing about the transition to clean energy?
Moving to clean energy is key to combating climate change, yet in the past five years, the energy transition has stagnated.
Energy consumption and production contribute to two-thirds of global emissions, and 81% of the global energy system is still based on fossil fuels, the same percentage as 30 years ago. Plus, improvements in the energy intensity of the global economy are slowing. In 2018 energy intensity improved by 1.2%, the slowest rate since 2010.
