Light Me Up

Figure 1. Example of solar panels (AZtech)

    Recently, there has been a significant rise in the number of users of solar energy. In fact, there are now enough solar capacity in the U.S. to power 13.5 million homes, which is expected to double in the next five years. Its market is continuously growing and I am very excited to see what's in store for the years ahead. Here, I'll show you some trends in solar energy to better understand what its implications are.

    To start, we must first look at how do these actually work. Solar panels generally work by capturing energy from the sun and converting it into electricity for homes and businesses. Once the panels receive particles of light, the electrons are freed from the atoms, thus generating a flow of electricity. This whole process seems simple but it is kind of mind-boggling to me. For years and years of us using the limited fossils as energy source, there is now a very good alternative to be used, with much more benefits for us and the environment.

Video 1. How do solar panels work? (TedEd)

    Solar power systems absorb clean, pure energy from the sun. Meaning, it helps us combat greenhouse gas emissions from our dependence on fossil fuels, and reduce air pollution and global climate change. Aside from that, solar power is a renewable energy which can be used infinitely as long as there is a sun. I've been constantly asking myself, with all the benefits this idea has, why aren't all of us using it? If our fossils are now really limited, why aren't we switching to these alternatives?

    Well, that's because of the costs. Yeah, these solar panels can be quite expensive. Just the installation of the materials can cost thousands of dollars, and including its maintenance it could be a lot more. Especially with the increasing rates of poverty, most of the common people can not afford it. Those on the higher-ups are gradually considering this change, but the majority are still left unfazed.

Figure 2. Sample installation of solar panels (Bloomberg)

    And even so, it cannot suit all types of climates. Solar energy is an intermittent energy source. The solar panels only produce power when the sun is shining and not when it isn't. For those countries further north in which the weather is always cold, it is simply impractical to switch to this. Although the energy can be stored, long-term capabilities of these panels are still not insured. Even if I am really interested on using this solar energy now, I'm afraid to say but the idea is still under-developed. But hey, we must look forward and ask, what comes next?

    Little by little, the consumers' demand is growing. We all care about our environment so all of us are working hard to reduce the use of fossils. That's why in the recent years, solar battery prices are falling. It is said that the cost fell 76 percent since 2012. This downward trend is very good news for solar energy - and it will only continue. Maybe in the next decade it can then be cost-competitive with the power plants. Its capabilities are growing, and I can't wait to experience how it's like to use it.

    Overall, even if there are still rooms for improvement for this concept, I can't deny the impact it would have if most of us prioritize solar power as energy source. The sun will provide us more energy than we'll ever need now and even the future centuries. We must turn towards this idea in the move to a cleaner energy production, and eventually, a cleaner world.

References:

Taryn Holowka (2017) "Benefits of Using Solar Panels on your Home" https://www.usgbc.org/articles/top-four-benefits-installing-solar-panels-your-home

Sarah Lozanova (2020) "Trends in Solar Energy for 2020" https://earth911.com/eco-watch/energy/4-trends-in-solar-energy-for-2020/