By Ali Al Hadi Ismail | Staff Writer
Over the past few years, solar power has gone from being a fringe technology to a mainstream energy source for homeowners, businesses, and utilities around the world. The solar industry has been booming, with billions of dollars in new investments made since 2006. With such rapid development, it is no surprise that solar is now the fastest-growing energy source. According to the International Energy Agency, by 2030, solar will be the dominant source of power for electricity generation in most regions of the world. It is expected to account for a quarter of world electricity generation, and over half of the power generation in many regions that are currently dependent on fossil fuels.
The solar power revolution, a new revolution in solar power has begun. From the deserts of the Sahara to the plains of the Midwest, solar energy is becoming a viable alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based energy. This new revolution is driven by a growing awareness of the adverse effects of fossil fuels and the resulting impact on our planet. Fossil fuels contribute to numerous environmental problems, including global warming, acid rain, and deforestation. These problems are directly related to the fuel’s production, and the resulting emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. The rapid growth rate of solar power is a direct result of these negative effects and the desire to become more sustainable. Solar power offers a viable solution to the problems caused by fossil fuels.
A solar panel converts sunlight to electricity. Solar panels use photovoltaic cells that convert the sun’s energy into electricity. The main component of these cells is silicon. Solar cells are made up of tiny pieces of silicon that absorb energy from the sun. In this process, a small electric current is generated that can be used to power electronics such as a computer, a cell phone, or a radio.
The energy of sunlight converts to electricity when the sun’s rays are converted to a form of energy that can be consumed by our devices. The process of converting the energy of light to electricity from a solar panel is called photovoltaics (PV). Solar cells are made up of a thin silicon wafer, usually a few hundred micrometers thick. Photons of sunlight striking the surface of the wafer break silicon bonds and create free electrons and holes. The electrons and holes are created to move through the wafer to the surface of the panel where a collection of wires and metal contacts are formed. When the solar cell is connected to an electrical load, these free electrons and holes are separated, creating an electric current. This current induces a DC voltage via a DC (direct current) circuit and is then converted to an alternating current (AC) by an inverter, in-order to be used by the appliances. Solar technology is a great opportunity for a clean energy source that will help the world to be green, and it’s a good way to make money too.
Solar energy and batteries are used in different ways for lighting and energy storage. Batteries have become a way of storing solar energy in a more usable form. Solar cells transfer the energy directly to a battery. Batteries can then store the charge and provide power when the sun is not shining. This way of using solar energy takes the energy in the sunlight and stores it as chemical energy in the battery and can then be used at night or during a cloudy day.
The amount of energy produced by a solar panel varies, depending on the size and location of the panel. A large panel on the south side of a house can produce more electricity than a smaller panel on the north side because the panels are facing towards the equator (northern hemisphere). The panels are more efficient on the south side because their angle of inclination is closer to the equator than on the north side. Additionally, energy production is lowest in the winter and highest in the summer. This is because the panels cannot get direct sunlight in the winter. A large panel on the roof is also likely to produce more power than a smaller panel on a smaller roof due to the amount of sunlight that reaches the panel. In addition, the power produced by a solar panel is variable. The best place to install a solar panel is on a sunny roof.
We estimate that a typical Lebanese home needs 8 solar panels each of 330 Watt. The average Lebanese medium house consumes roughly around 307kWh monthly. With panel efficiency ranging between 20% to 40%, a typical house would require a minimum of 6 to 8 panels each providing 450 Watt. The current market price of solar panels in the country is about $1 to $1.5 per watt. A medium-sized Lebanese family would require 5000$ to 6000$ to get a system and sustain self-sufficiency (homemade electricity) for the next 25 years. The standard life span of a solar panel is range between 25 and 30 years.
Starting from photosynthesis, the sun is the free source of all energy in life. The only thing that we need to do is to harness it. It is our most abundant and renewable energy source. It is estimated to be 20,000 times as abundant as all the fossil fuels put together. Though it may seem strange, the energy of fossil fuel comes from the sun. That energy is trapped in plants and fossilized into coal, oil, gas, and rock. It takes millions of years to create a single barrel of oil, and we destroy the earth to get it. It takes less than an hour to generate solar energy from the sun and store that energy in batteries.
Besides, the world’s population is growing rapidly, and the need for energy will only grow. It is estimated that the world’s energy consumption will double in the next 25 years. The energy from the sun is the source of all energy on the planet. It is our most abundant and renewable energy source. It is estimated to be 20,000 times as abundant as all the fossil fuels put together. There simply is not enough fossil fuel to meet the world’s future energy needs. It is the challenge of our generation to begin the transition to a sustainable future.