SOLAR ENERGY:FROM ITS HISTORY TO ITS PROSPECTS
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2025 will be another big year for solar energy. Output is set to exceed previous years’ records with the UK showing promising signs of embracing solar expansion. Solar has a longer history than many know, one with fascinating beats along the way.
The history of solar energy can help us understand it as an energy source and its social reflections.
The history of solar energy can help us understand it as an energy source and its social reflections.
Solar energy, or the Photo-Voltic effect, was first discovered in 1839 by Edmond Becquerel (below). He had discovered something groundbreaking even if not fully explainable.
It took until 1888 for a real proof of concept to be established. Single digit conversion rates were enough to grasp the science. The proof of concept is as follows:
Light → Atoms exposed to photon energy → Electron excitation, electrons transition to a higher energy state → Charge separation, the high energy electrons are separated from holes, from where the electron is separated, and channelled into a current→ Electric current or voltage is produced.
The voltage is defined by the level of separation between electrons and their holes, the more electrons separated the stronger the current. Here lies the key for improvement since 1837. Other energy output types have been explored, as well as the discovering that ultraviolet rays are more effective.
Light → Atoms exposed to photon energy → Electron excitation, electrons transition to a higher energy state → Charge separation, the high energy electrons are separated from holes, from where the electron is separated, and channelled into a current→ Electric current or voltage is produced.
The voltage is defined by the level of separation between electrons and their holes, the more electrons separated the stronger the current. Here lies the key for improvement since 1837. Other energy output types have been explored, as well as the discovering that ultraviolet rays are more effective.
External factors play a big role too. Hotter climates elevate electron excitement. The marginal benefit of temperature is reached at 25°C (77°F), above which high energy electrons are less effectively separated, lowering efficiency. For every degree above 25°C, a typical solar panel’s conversion rate decreases up to 0.5%.
Solar panel can only take in what light the sun brings.
By the 1950’s solar conversion rates reached 6%. This was considered a scientifically practical device but remained economically unviable to a consumer base. The cost-output discrepancy was hugely exaggerated in the 50’s but the same trade-off is still pointed to by today’s solar sceptics.
Today’s solar panels convert up to 22% of light into electricity and a single panel will costs £150 - £300.
In 1973 the University of Delaware physics department created Solar 1, the first house with fully solar powered utilities in what was a breakthrough for solar energy and became an attraction for visitors.
The breakthrough came only months before the West and the USA was faced with the 1973 oil crisis. Solar came to the front of political imaginations as quite possibly the alternative energy source that was needed. However, the sore in investment and interest dissipated once the crisis was over. Support for solar energy became tied to political loyalties.
Solar energy has been held back by bipartisanship in American politics. It has been caught in the crossfire between political factions loyal to the fossil fuel industry and those looking to greener energy. Their on-again off-again relationship with the Whitehouse roof clouded solar confidence and divided support among party lines. In the USA, support for industrial solar expansion is grown large (82%) but there remains a clear party split (93% Democrats, 70% of Republicans).
Solar panel can only take in what light the sun brings.
By the 1950’s solar conversion rates reached 6%. This was considered a scientifically practical device but remained economically unviable to a consumer base. The cost-output discrepancy was hugely exaggerated in the 50’s but the same trade-off is still pointed to by today’s solar sceptics.
Today’s solar panels convert up to 22% of light into electricity and a single panel will costs £150 - £300.
In 1973 the University of Delaware physics department created Solar 1, the first house with fully solar powered utilities in what was a breakthrough for solar energy and became an attraction for visitors.
The breakthrough came only months before the West and the USA was faced with the 1973 oil crisis. Solar came to the front of political imaginations as quite possibly the alternative energy source that was needed. However, the sore in investment and interest dissipated once the crisis was over. Support for solar energy became tied to political loyalties.
Solar energy has been held back by bipartisanship in American politics. It has been caught in the crossfire between political factions loyal to the fossil fuel industry and those looking to greener energy. Their on-again off-again relationship with the Whitehouse roof clouded solar confidence and divided support among party lines. In the USA, support for industrial solar expansion is grown large (82%) but there remains a clear party split (93% Democrats, 70% of Republicans).
SOLAR 1
Solar has not experienced the same rush of investment that Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies have ridden in recent years but businesses are continuing to invest.
Solar has experienced slow and steady development. Much of this development had been centred of conversion efficiency. As energy conversion efficiency increases, the more cost effective solar becomes.
Solar panels will become a more common sight as commercial sites take interest.Tesco are expanding their solar energy production over the next 3 years by installing solar panels across 100 of their stores - a big step up from their current 40. The new output could charge their entire fleet of delivery vans 53 times over, a yardstick for assessing the long-term benefits.
Public perceptions have tipped to a critical mass of support for solar on commercial and green field sites (81%). Hesitations still linger for owners of older country homes, but the UK widely agrees (82%) that new homes should come built with solar panels. The image of solar panels are strongly associated with renewable energy, progress, and improved standards of living.
Greenfield sites rely on already being connected to national grid infrastructure. Commercial sites are already connected and can enjoy the benefit of size in their investment. Installation time is site dependent. Times typically range from 4-6 months.
The UK government no longer requires planning permission for solar panels on flat roofs and has expanded the thresh-hold for planning
Solar has experienced slow and steady development. Much of this development had been centred of conversion efficiency. As energy conversion efficiency increases, the more cost effective solar becomes.
Solar panels will become a more common sight as commercial sites take interest.Tesco are expanding their solar energy production over the next 3 years by installing solar panels across 100 of their stores - a big step up from their current 40. The new output could charge their entire fleet of delivery vans 53 times over, a yardstick for assessing the long-term benefits.
Public perceptions have tipped to a critical mass of support for solar on commercial and green field sites (81%). Hesitations still linger for owners of older country homes, but the UK widely agrees (82%) that new homes should come built with solar panels. The image of solar panels are strongly associated with renewable energy, progress, and improved standards of living.
Greenfield sites rely on already being connected to national grid infrastructure. Commercial sites are already connected and can enjoy the benefit of size in their investment. Installation time is site dependent. Times typically range from 4-6 months.
The UK government no longer requires planning permission for solar panels on flat roofs and has expanded the thresh-hold for planning
permission for large installation from 1 megawatt (MW) - one million watts – maximum output to 5MW, this is up to 25,000 square metres, or roughly two and a half rugby pitches.
The history of solar energy is far from over. It still has an important role to play as the world reconfigures its energy supplies.
Governments and enterprises adopting and committing to goals 11, 12, and 13 of the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals make for a bright future in solar.
The history of solar energy is far from over. It still has an important role to play as the world reconfigures its energy supplies.
Governments and enterprises adopting and committing to goals 11, 12, and 13 of the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals make for a bright future in solar.
