Category: Photo-voltaics
Solar-Hydrogen Powered-House
| April 10, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Photo-voltaics |
A friend asks:
Out of curiosity, did you ever hear of Mike Strizky and his purely hydrogen powered house in Hopewell, NJ?
No, that’s cool. Actually, of course, the power is coming from the solar PV; it’s stored in the hydrogen. Personally, I’m not too great a fan of hydrogen. I think that batteries will soon prove affordable, especially as the scale at which they’ll be used in electric transportation and utility-scale storage will drive further cost reductions. I hasten to add that not everyone agrees with me on this.
Hydrogen fuel cells have significant efficiency limits that (I believe) are impossible to cross, since the migration of the ion through the electrolyte produces heat.
Replacement of Diesel with Solar Can Be Complicated
| April 7, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Photo-voltaics |
Here’s a wonderful discussion that illustrates how an apparent no-brainer in terms of the replacement of diesel with solar on an island nation (Anguilla) can become a complicated mess.
In particular, the chairman of the Anguilla Renewable Energy Office says, “As we all know, you can’t store electricity, it has to be used when it is generated.” (They need a new chairman.) Also, per a local solar consultant: “(where) Jamaica, St. Lucia, Greneda, and other islands have implemented net-metering in some form, Anguilla has not. This means that you can have solar, but you cannot interconnect it with the grid. All the developed countries of the world incentivize solar, Anguilla outlaws it.”
Yep, that’s a mess all right.
Pros and Cons of Solar Energy from Photovoltaics
| March 12, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Photo-voltaics |
Here’s another short video for young people and newcomers to the subject of renewable energy. In this brief talk on solar energy and photovoltaics (solar panels), I provide my thinking on the strengths and weaknesses of solar power. Hope you enjoy.
From Guest Blogger Charlie – The Big Question: Is Solar Actually Worth It?
| February 7, 2012 | Posted by Charlieb29 under Photo-voltaics |
Ever since solar power became an accepted alternative as an energy resource, the general consensus has been to wait and see what happens. As with anything new that has been introduced as a way of saving money, we are skeptical — and especially so when it is on something that we don’t understand. Whether it’s the environment or technology, the natural reaction is to question it`s function, benefit and place in our world. Read More
Alain Clenet Brings Cleverness and Compassion to the People of Uganda
| January 21, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Photo-voltaics |
Those whose interests including super high-end exotic automobiles may know the name Alain Clenet and the eponymous retro-designed “drivable art” he built in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the meeting I had with him at his home this morning, I was taken by the keenness of his mind, as well as the breadth of his heart and spirit. Though he still builds cars as a hobby, he’s turned most of his efforts to helping the poorest of the poor, mostly in undeveloped places in Africa.
I thought I’d relate a quick story that blends Alain’s compassion with his skill for building things – and even a bit of clean energy.
When Alain and his people go to an area, they always ask what the people lack, but they also ask, “What do you have too much of?” Read More
Solar Goes Mainstream
| December 15, 2011 | Posted by Craig Shields under Photo-voltaics |
Renewable Energy World’s Steve Leone published an article today on solar and its attempts to go mainstream, in which he mentions a great number of developments that will ultimately make solar far more appealing to consumers than it is currently. Some of these notions include transparent PV on windows, as well as PV roof shingles and other forms of building-integrated solar.
It was good to see he noted the role of electric transportation in the equation. I.e., there is clearly a growing number of people who want to control the source of electricity that charges their cars – and what better way to do that than to install that source on their roofs?
If we still have a civilization here in 2050, we will have “gotten there.” The questions are how much damage we will have done, and who’s going to get rich in the process.
From Guest Blogger James Hawkins: Solar in the UK
| December 12, 2011 | Posted by James under Photo-voltaics |
In April 2010, the UK government introduced their own version of a feed in tariff scheme to help boost our renewable figures and to cut carbon emissions. It is a scheme where homeowners are paid 41.3p for generating electricity with photovoltaic solar panels on their roof, and they are then extra in the case that they don’t use the electricity. Combining the average bill savings with these payments amounts to approximately £1,000 per year at today’s prices. With the scheme lasting for 25 years, the panels will pay themselves off over time, usually 9 to 10 years, and then they will start to generate a healthy income. Our national solar panels company has seen demand for solar skyrocket by over 400% from before the FIT was introduced. Read More
From Guest-Blogger Carolina: US Solar Companies Continue Spreading Sunshine around the World
| December 10, 2011 | Posted by Carolina under Photo-voltaics |
Sungevity, based in California and known for its home solar products and services, recently announced its international launch into Holland. While Sungevity has expanded across the U.S. into various states, this will be the first time it is crossing abroad. In fact, Sungevity is the first United States-based home solar company to expand internationally. This great news for the home solar industry, environmental enthusiasts, and those looking to save money on their electric bill. Read More
From Guest Blogger Carolina: Changing Lives Via Clean Energy
| December 8, 2011 | Posted by Carolina under Photo-voltaics |
As solar companies strive to provide consumers with the sun’s renewable energy, they too are doing their part to help those in need. Many U.S. solar companies have reached out to the third world in effort to provide them with solar equipment that will help improve lives on the daily, from lighting schools, to power communication equipment. Countless rural towns throughout Africa do not have direct access to a power grid because of the sheer cost to transport the electricity over far distances. However, solar companies are changing this. Read More
By Guest-Blogger Don: Wanted, People Who Can Grow a Company by 8% (per month)
| October 25, 2011 | Posted by Donald W under Photo-voltaics |
I was giving a speech earlier this month about Energy Security, and while preparing the speech came upon some stark realizations about electrical generation in the US:
1) Solar is equivalent to an insignificant rounding error for electrical generation in the US.
2) Coal will remain by far the dominant form of electrical generation assuming the status quo for at least 5 years and will probably be the first or second generator for 10 years.
3) Assuming current trends, solar not be out producing petroleum product (petroleum liquids, petroleum coke) for about 4½ to 5 years.
4) Growth of 40% per year in 5 years solar will still be a rounding error for electrical generation in the US.
5) With growth of 60% per year in 5 years solar will finally achieve the status of being a rounding error for electrical generation in the US. Read More
