Great Solar Inspirations
You see solar panels everywhere today, on your geyser, calculators even outdoor Christmas lights, but that isn’t all there is. We have started using solar to power everything from our cars too powering Kindles.
Solar, not so new, but going to new heights
Everyone has heard about Solar Panels and Solar Power plants, but the possibilities are endless. Shopping centers are converting carports into Solar Power Plants by using the roof space for PV Panels instead traditional roofing, thus giving shoppers under roof parking and generating clean power for the shops.
Now Japan has launched a new project…Solar in Space.
A Solar plant that Orbits around earth using a concentrated beam to generate power.
In other words, a giant Solar Power Ray from space. The idea sounds so cool, but we must look at this another way, how will it be done?
Well high up in the sky there will be a floating Solar farm, that you’ll probably not see, but what you will see is a man made island in Tokyo harbor. The Pilot Signal will be received there, a highly concentrated Microwave beam, produced by the Space PV Plant.
Like a giant ray gun, the Solar PV Plant will triangulate the massive Microwave to land on that island, where the energy will be converted to Electricity.
Fig.2 Artist conception of the SSPS
There are still some factors that must be fine-tuned such as wireless power transmission and the whole gravity and orbiting issues. We are all waiting in anticipation for this project to start its launch in Japan and having our own little James Bond moments of looking on as the worlds Largest Ray Gun gets launched for the good guys.
So, Solar hasn’t reached the summit of its potential yet.
Solar design
People are more aware of the advantages of Solar power and incorporating Energy efficient design methods in their buildings. Some amazing concepts and actual products have been created to not only give you the optimum solar experience. Homes are being designed with Solar Panels already worked into the design, not to be added later.
One of these houses is the Active House, Lystrum, Denmark.
The house has a South Facing roof (amazing solar potential on that side of the world). With this one concession, the built-in PV paneled roof generates enough power to power the entire house.
Image from: http://en.paperblog.com/eco-design-day-decorating-with-solar-panels-293547/
And this isn’t the only one. A lot of conception designs will be incorporating Renewable energy in all possible aspects from wind energy bridges to total PV Panelled buildings that generates its own power from PV to waste management.
Solar development
Every day the Development of Solar PV has just gotten better and cheaper. Prices of Solar per watt has dropped from R330 per Watt to R20 per Watt in the last 5 years.
Not only has the price dropped, but the yield capability of panels has increased. Smaller Solar Panels can generate more power than those of 3 years back.
Yes, this was to be expected, but the applications for these developments are endless.
Companies will be using PV to upgrade their products, provide power for longer and at cheaper rates, not only that but it is clean energy without a carbon tax benefit.
The world is getting smaller and more populated, but we are also getting smarter.
We are noticing the strain on our environment from fossil fuel power causing large scale pollution.
In pointing this out I’m not saying that we will destroy the earth, but we are starting to unite under a common banner and Solar is firmly on our side.
Solar, creating jobs
Here is another great thing about Solar in our country. It creates jobs!
A developer, business owner or company installs their Solar Systems using local labor. They then train people to monitor that system, maintain it and safe guard that system. Thus, creating a business and employment opportunities in local communities around the world.
So why are we looking past Solar as a viable solution for our businesses and homes.
Take a leap and get the relevant information, before just writing it off as some gimmick.