Solar solutions: Advantages of Green Solar Energy

Since the debut of solar power in the sixties, solar technology has rapidly evolved and the industry has exponentially grown. Scientific research into spaceflight has spurred on technological advancements, including reducing solar array costs and improving panel efficiencies. This has in-turn, increased the profitability of solar solutions and facilitated huge industrial growth in the sector – positioning solar as a leading form of renewable or ‘green’ energy.

When the word ‘solar power’ comes to mind, people might often think of old, bulky and inefficient solar panels on rooftops or even at solar farms. It is a common misconception that solar is inefficient, expensive, or only good for off grid living. It is true that solar panels do dominated the ‘off-grid’ market due to their advantages over other off-grid energy sources, but the amazing advantages of solar energy solutions make them attractive for everyone to take advantage of the Green solar energy revolution.

Apart from being a cheap energy source, there are many reasons why a solar solution can realistically be the best and most practical option for meeting your (renewable) energy requirements. This article will explore some of these reasons and discuss the benefits of solar energy on various platforms.

“Solar power is going to be absolutely essential to meeting growing energy demands while staving off climate change.”

Ramez Naam

What is solar power?

Solar power (solar energy) is a renewable (sustainable) form of energy, and refers to a system that can capture light and heat energy from the sun, and convert into another form of energy; mainly electricity, which can then be used or stored in various kinds of batteries or ‘potential energy wells’ like dams.

There are two main types of technologies that help with the conversion of cheap energy;

  1. Solar thermal.
  2. Photovoltaics.

Using a semiconductor to convert sunlight into DC is the function of photovoltaic cell. Whereas, converting heat from the sun into electricity is a function of solar thermal plants.

Solar thermal plants mainly have large scale industrial usages, however photovoltaic cells are much more accessible – and odds are, you might already use them (Check out your calculator, or maybe your garden lights!)

You can easily select a photovoltaic or ‘solar panel’ system and solar panels for home, automotive, camping or off grid living that you are comfortable with – they come in a wide variety of size, shapes and capacities.

Advantages of solar solutions at home?

home solar solution

Most people want to know whether to invest in solar panels for home or not. There are some great benefits of solar panels whether you prefer home or off grid living. To help you out here we have a few advantages of solar energy you need to know.

Solar solutions provide energy independence

You will begin to get independence and more freedom from a utility provider after installation of solar panels. You are not only producing energy for yourself to use (or to feed back into the grid), but you can also store it for future usage in a power bank – Even during a blackout, your house could have sufficient power.

Coupling solar panels to a solar bank or ‘battery bank’ such as the Tesla power wall means you can generate electricity during the day and store your surplus to be used at night when your panels are not receiving any sunlight. Solar battery banks are not quite at a mature stage of development yet, and whilst solar panels typically pay themselves off in under 5 years (depending on your situation and energy usage of course), solar battery banks can take much longer, and thus are harder to justify the cost.

Solar solutions are eco-friendly

Solar energy is a sustainable and eco-friendly option due to the following reasons.

  • It will reduce your carbon footprint.
  • No harmful pollutants are generated.
  • No greenhouse gas emissions from their use.

Solar solutions are low maintenance

You will have to deal with little to no maintenance. After the installation of a solar panel system by professionals on your home or vehicle, you will not have to deal with any major tasks. Moreover, you will not have to schedule regular maintenance checks – solar panels can be easily cleaned once or twice a year using a hose!

If you live in a hail prone area however, this can damage some types of (especially older) solar panels, but modern flexible panels are much more damage resistent.

Of course, you will need to clean any bird poo or dust off of them for maximum efficiency!

Solar solutions are renewable

Sunlight is a renewable source of energy. It means we can easily protect the continuous usage of fossil fuels and other nonrenewable resources. Therefore, it will help maintain the balance of nature. This means green solar solutions meet all three key principles of sustainability; The economy (cost effective), society (providing electricity), and the environment (little to no pollution)

Solar solutions are Affordable

The best thing about solar energy is that it is a cheap energy source. You will be able to save a decent amount of money in the long run. As a rule of thumb, solar systems in Australia cost approximately $1000 per kW, but this is similar world wide.

Solar solutions save you money!

Solar solutions can save you money! One of the best advantages of solar energy is a reduction in power bills

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Typically, the smallest solar system installed is a 5kW system [Average cost AUD $5,000], which will generate around 20kWh a day, and it can save you up to around $500 a quarterly bill if you use all of the solar power as it is generated.

Choice Magazine

This means a $5,000 system could pay itself off in under 3 years! However, lets not get ahead of ourselves here. It does depend on where you live (latitude) and local weather – a more realistic time frame is 5-7 years for a complete return on investment.

You might even qualify for local government or council grants, and you can even feed excess energy back into the grid – and get paid a feed in tarrif (note though that the feed in tarrif is often less than half of what you might pay to actually use the energy – this is due to the costs associated with regulating the power feeding back into the grid).

Corporate solar solutions

solar solutions

Because of the relative ease of installation of solar solutions on commercial properties, factories and warehouses, many corporations are looking to leverage the influence of the ‘green revolution’ by mandating use of solar energy solutions in their corporate environmental responsibility plans.

This has a host of benefits including the obvious reduction in energy costs, but also in reducing carbon footprints, and from a public relations standpoint – promoting companies as progressive and eco-friendly.

Solar solutions in sustainable design

Solar solutions are becoming increasingly common in Sustainable design. The inclusion of solar panels and other passive solar solutions such as thermal mass, shading and windows can be used in order to meet strict environmental standards

“Solar power – the most widely consumed renewable energy in Australia – boasts a host of benefits for both the environment and for your sustainable home. Eco home builders can pair your solar energy unit with a battery storage system, so you can strive for carbon neutrality while reaping the financial rewards of self-sufficiency. An investment in solar power can immunise your new home against future electricity price rises”

Modscape.com – Designing and Building an Eco-friendly home

Nearly every home design I explored on Eco Sustainable Homes featured some impressive solar solutions in their designs.

Off grid solar solutions

Solar solutions for off grid living are a fantastic choice for providing yourself with reliable, sustainable electrical power. There is a special type of off-grid solar system which makes use of solar panels as well as batteries (both lithium and deep cycle). This will allow backup energy supplies when your solar panels might not be producing power (at night) or if they are operating below peak performance due to cloud cover or inclement weather.

solar solution off grid
Solar solutions can be perfect for off-grid living

Energy storage banks can be expensive, but necessary if off-grid. If your system is not producing enough energy, you will need it to have continuous access to energy to power things like fridges, freezers and lights.

Many off-grid livers or homesteaders also choose to get a backup generator to integrate in this system. This can help charge the batteries when the battery supply is running low, ensuring that the batteries are regulated and extending their life, as well as providing continuity or assurance of power. This is a fairly cheap energy source and is usually powered by diesel, petrol (gasoline) or even gas (propane or similar) and is considered essential by most.

Advantages of solar solutions for camping, vehicles and RVs

Most people think that solar energy is only for homes or off grid living. But this technology can be great for camping, vehicles and RVs. Solar panels are portable cheap energy solar systems for RVs and camping which you can use as either

  • Traveling freedom and easy to carry or mount panels on roof of car, or set up on a tent
  • Cost-effective solution.
  • Parts for generating solar energy are lightweight and easy to store (lithium batteries are lighter, but can be much more expensive when compared to deep cycle lead acid batteries).
  • Solar solutions operate in silence, unlike noisy generators. Thus, it will not be a source of noise pollution.
  • No fuel required so theoretical unlimited range / no need to refuel.

Disadvantages of solar panels:

There are many advantages of solar energy and it is ultimately a cheap energy source which can help save a lot of money. However, there are a few drawbacks that you need to know about.

  • The high initial cost for installation and material of solar panels for home – this is reducing but still in the order of (AUD) $1,000 per kW of solar panel (including inverter and installation etc) for typical 3-5 kW systems.
  • Efficiency is continually improving – if you hold off it is likely the panels will get better – hard to know when to ‘jump into’ the market.
  • It requires a decent amount of space, typically on the sun facing wall (north in the southern hemisphere and vice versa)
  • You will need a large and expensive battery bank for off grid living if you want continuity of power because sunlight is not available at night or in poor weather.
  • It may not be considered aesthetic in some installations where it is in view.
  • In winter production of solar energy will be lower than in summer – there is a natural seasonal variation due to the ‘height’ and path of the sun in the sky. This is more of an issue in the extreme latitudes and less so closer to the equator.

New developments for solar energy:

Solar solutions concept

Considering the advantages of solar energy, experts are working hard to make it more efficient. Some amazing technologies will be soon available in this field of cheap energy. Here are a few;

  • Flexible solar skin designs to replace conventional solid glass solar panels.
  • Wearable solar powered gadgets
  • Solar roads and footpaths – See Engineers Australia Solar Roads article
  • Solar fabrics

Conclusion

Solar solutions are a great way to meet to our energy demands, whether that is for your home, industrial uses, broad scale electricity generation to feed the grid, off-grid homesteads, or even just for camping trips or RVs. Solar energy is an unlimited and renewable source of free energy from the sun. Solar technology is improving every day, reducing the cost of solar panels and improving their efficiencies. Solar energy solutions will undoubtedly be a major part of building a sustainable future.

Ken

Ken is a retired engineer, beekeeper and avid gardener. He writes about permaculture, sustainability and self-sufficiency on his blog SkyPerma, which journals his progress becoming more sustainable in the SkyGarden, a 100 square meter rooftop garden right in the heart of the Adelaide city which hosts over 500 plants and 5 established beehives. Ken has the goal of establishing his own permaculture acreage in the Adelaide Hills, and other than gardening his hobbies include cycling, cooking and writing.

Ken has 62 posts and counting. See all posts by Ken

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