top of page

What is Solar Energy?

The global spike in energy costs has led many to find alternative and sustainable fuel sources. There are many options available today including wind, solar and hydropower. Of the three, solar is the fastest growing, and almost everyone can learn to capture its power to perform tasks like cooking; lighting, heating, and many other household chores. Two of the key reasons many invest in harnessing the sun is to get energy for heating water in homes and to generate electricity.

By definition, solar energy is energy derived from the sun. The energy can be used directly to heat, and light homes or it can be converted into electricity using solar energy technologies like solar panels. People are increasingly investing in solar energy to save on out-of-pocket costs and get rid of dangerous and expensive power lines.

Solar energy i.e. energy from the sun provide consistent and steady source of solar power throughout the year. As our non-renewable resources are set to decline in the years to come, it is important for us to move towards renewable sources of energy like wind, hydropower, biomass and tidal. The main benefit of solar energy is that it can be easily deployed by both home and business users as it does not require any huge set up like in case of wind or geothermal power. Solar energy not only benefits individual owners, but also benefit environment as well. Solar energy is one of the most widely used renewable energy source.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy?

Solar energy is derived from the sun’s radiation. The sun is a powerful energy source. Did you know that the energy that it provides to the Earth for one hour, could meet the global energy needs for one year? We are able to harness only 0.001 percent of that energy.

There is a reason why solar energy has become a trending topic when talking about renewables. While it has been popularly criticized for being expensive or not very efficient, solar energy has now proved to be very beneficial - not only for the environment but also financially speaking. Additionally, due to the higher demand, the technology has been improved considerably, turning into a very efficient source of clean energy.

Advantages of Solar Energy

1. Renewable Energy Source

Among all the benefits of solar panels, the most important thing is that solar energy is a truly renewable energy source. It can be harnessed in all areas of the world and is available every day. We cannot run out of solar energy, unlike some of the other sources of energy. Solar energy will be accessible as long as we have the sun, therefore sunlight will be available to us for at least 5 billion years when according to scientists the sun is going to die.

2. Reduces Electricity Bills

Since you will be meeting some of your energy needs with the electricity your solar system has generated, your energy bills will drop. How much you save on your bill will be dependent on the size of the solar system and your electricity or heat usage. Moreover, not only will you be saving on the electricity bill, but if you generate more electricity than you use, the surplus will be exported back to the grid and you will receive bonus payments for that amount (considering that your solar panel system is connected to the grid). Savings can further grow if you sell excess electricity at high rates during the day and then buy electricity from the grid during the evening when the rates are lower.

3. Diverse Applications

Solar energy can be used for diverse purposes. You can generate electricity (photovoltaics) or heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can be used to produce electricity in areas without access to the energy grid, to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies and to power satellites in space. Solar energy can also be integrated into the materials used for buildings. Not long ago Sharp introduced transparent solar energy windows.

4. Low Maintenance Costs

Solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need to keep them relatively clean, so cleaning them a couple of times per year will do the job. Most reliable solar panel manufacturers give 20-25 years warranty. Also, as there are no moving parts, there is no wear and tear. The inverter is usually the only part that needs to changed after 5-10 years because it is continuously working to convert solar energy into electricity (solar PV) and heat (solar thermal). So, after covering the initial cost of the solar system, you can expect very little spending on maintenance and repair work.

5. Technology Development

Technology in the solar power industry is constantly advancing and improvements will intensify in the future. Innovations in quantum physics and nanotechnology can potentially increase the effectiveness of solar panels and double, or even triple, the electrical input of the solar power systems.

Solar Energy Disadvantages

1. Cost

The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high. Although the UK government has introduced some schemes for encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources, for example, the Feed-in Tariff, you still have to cover the upfront costs. This includes paying for solar panels, inverter, batteries, wiring and for the installation. Nevertheless, solar technologies are constantly developing, so it is safe to assume that prices will go down in the future.

2. Weather Dependent

Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system drops. Solar panels are dependent on sunlight to effectively gather solar energy. Therefore, a few cloudy, rainy days can have a noticeable effect on the energy system. You should also take into account that solar energy cannot be collected during the night.

3. Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive

Solar energy has to be used right away, or it can be stored in large batteries. These batteries, used in off-the-grid solar systems, can be charged during the day so that the energy is used at night. This is a good solution for using solar energy all day long but it is also quite expensive. In most cases, it is smarter to just use solar energy during the day and take energy from the grid during the night (you can only do this if your system is connected to the grid). Luckily our energy demand is usually higher during the day so we can meet most of it with solar energy.

4. Uses a Lot of Space

The more electricity you want to produce, the more solar panels you will need because you want to collect as much sunlight as possible. Solar panels require a lot of space and some roofs are not big enough to fit the number of solar panels that you would like to have. An alternative is to install some of the panels in your yard but they need to have access to sunlight. Anyways, If you don’t have the space for all the panels that you wanted, you can just get a fewer and they will still be satisfying some of your energy needs.

5. Associated with Pollution

Although pollution related to solar energy systems is far less compared to other sources of energy, solar energy can be associated with pollution. Transportation and installation of solar systems have been associated with the emission of greenhouse gases. There are also some toxic materials and hazardous products used during the manufacturing process of solar photovoltaics, which can indirectly affect the environment. Nevertheless, solar energy pollutes far less than the other alternative energy sources.

How to Save Money with Solar Energy

Is there a way to save money and be environmentally friendly at the same time?

How To Create Solar Power From Sunlight

Solar energy can be used for generating both heat and electricity, but the the technologies used in each case are different. Currently, there are two types of systems you can use to generate either heat or electricity from sunlight. These are: solar thermal heating and PV panels.

Solar Thermal Heating

These systems use the heat from the sun to warm up domestic water. The flat plate collectors are the cheapest option. They transfer heat from a flat metal sheet to the pipes placed underneath. The pipes run the heated water to a storage cylinder for use by the household.

Solar PV Panels

Solar Panels can be installed on the roof of your house or garage. They gather light from the sum and the energy is then converted to electricity for domestic use. Any generated electricity which is not used, is transferred back to the grid or is stored in standalone batteries, depending if the solar system is connected to the grid or not.

The PV panels are available in two options: tiles or fixed panels, panels being the the cheaper option. The panels also vary in the size and strength. Moreover, although the efficiency of solar panels increases in areas with constant sun exposure, they can also be used in any areas with less sunlight. Also, since solar energy is free, using it to meet some, or all of your household electricity needs, is a good way to reduce your bills and save up some money.

How To Save/Earn Money Using Solar Energy? 

Governmental Schemes

The Feed-in tariff was introduced by the UK government in 2010. It works on basis that you get cash back for any renewable energy that you generate in your home. The amount that you will receive depends on the Kw size of the system which is installed. 
There are two tariffs used:

  • Generation tariff is paid per Kw and as mentioned above is calculated using the size of the solar system. You receive money for the electricity that you export back to the grid and for the consumed electricity, generated by renewable electricity-generating technology, such as Solar PV

  • Export Tariff is also paid by Kw. You will receive a set price for each unit, you you export back to the power grid. So you have the option to sell the electricity that you have generated but have not used.

The renewable heat incentive (RHI) is a similar governmental program but it is about solar thermal heating. Government funding is available for both public and private sectors. The funding is accessible for people using renewable energy to heat their buildings. Payments are received per Kw and are guaranteed for up to 20 years.

How Much Can You Save?

The installation price of a PV system is in the range of £4,000 and £6,500. This can result in the saving of more that 1,200 kg of carbon emissions and you can receive between £500 and £1,000 from the Feed-in Tariff.To find out more specific information about the savings you can make, use the calculator on the energy saving trust website.

Solar thermal heating installations cost from £3,000 to £5,000 and you will typically save around £80 from the energy bill. You can check exactly how much you will be receiving from RHI if you use the online tool on the website of the department of energy and climate change.

Increasing Cost of Living

The cost of living is continuously increasing. This results from higher grocery expenses, rising fuel and utility costs. The more the price of electricity rises, the more you will be saving. By using solar energy you will reduce your dependence from conventional energy sources and will not have to face constantly increasing energy bills.

Increased Home Value

Any improvement that you do on your home, contributes to the overall value. The same goes for solar panels since they make your home more attractive to potential buyers. According to some homebuilding guides, solar-powered homes sell faster that those using conventional electricity.

Using solar energy will not only reduce your carbon footprint but makes economic sense as well. You will save some money from the reduced electricity bill and also make money some years after the initial investment on the solar system. Getting a solar system is also a home improvement which will increase your home’s value.

7 Facts About Solar Energy

Fact 1: Solar Energy Is an Abundant Energy Source.

The sun is the most abundant source of energy available on Earth. The sunlight we receive for just an hour is enough to generate energy for one year for the whole world. Although the Earth receives around 173 petawatts of energy continuously, we are able to harness merely 0.0001% of this vast amount. The solar energy we get is around 10,000 times greater than what we actually use on the Earth.

Fact 2: Solar Energy Is Renewable

The energy we get from the sun is renewable, meaning that it occurs naturally and can be replenished over time. Unlike other energy sources, such as coal and oil whose reserves will eventually diminish, the sun is here to stay and so is the energy we can gain from it. Solar energy is an ever- existing resource which can be utilized all around the world, assuming that the proper technology is present in the particular region.

Fact 3: Solar Energy and Solar Power

Solar Energy needs to be transformed to solar power and then it can be used for heating or electricity. There are two main methods to convert solar energy to power.

  • Direct or photovoltaic (PV) - The conversion is done through solar panels and the generated power is used for electricity.

  • Indirect or solar thermal - The conversion is done through solar thermal collectors and the generated power is used for heating.

Fact 4: Solar Energy Is Safe to Produce

The production and use of solar energy presents very little hazards, if any at all. Risks which are generally associated with other energy sources, like explosion, fire or chemical leaks, are non- existent in this case. PV panels are mainly made from silicon, which means that there is no danger from any leakage of toxins or fumes. This makes solar energy the safest source for the generation of power.

Fact 5: Low Maintenance and Running Costs

Since there are no running parts in the solar panels, there is very little wear and tear. This is why the maintenance requirements for the solar energy systems are very low. Both solar panels and solar thermal can last up to 35 years. On top of the low maintenance, there are no running cost during the production of solar energy. Once the system has been installed, the generation of power is free, for the entire lifespan of the system.

Fact 6 : Reduced Contribution to Global Warming

One of the best things about solar energy is that there are no carbon dioxide or other emissions affecting the atmosphere. There are almost no toxins released in the environment while we use solar energy for meeting our energy needs. The installation and production of the solar systems are associated with some emissions but they are far less significant than the other alternatives in the energy sector.

Fact 7: Solar Energy Is Applicable Everywhere

It is particularly suitable for remote areas which do not have access to an energy grid. There are around one billion people in the world living in areas without access to electricity. Independent solar systems could be installed in those regions and improve the lives of a great amount of people. Moreover, installing solar systems could also have a positive effect on the local employment.

World Solar PV Energy Potential Maps

The map above shows the global solar energy potential of the various regions around the world. Unsurprisingly, those areas closer to the equator tend to have greater annual potential than those further north or south.

 

For example, Scandinavia, Northern Canada and Russia all have potentials below 2.0 kWh/M2 per day whereas some regions of South America and Africa have potentials above 7.5 kWh/M2. This means many of the poorest countries today, could be sitting on an energy goldmine in years to come.

Europe

Looking at the map above, Europe is not the obvious candidate to be the world leader in solar PV electricity generation. Yet the EU as a whole produces more electricity from solar power than anywhere else at 94,570 MW in 2015.

Moreover, when you breakdown generation capacity by country, the list once again is not what you’d expect. Germany, dominates EU production accounting for 42% of installed capacity, whereas many Southern European countries, with far more potential, fail to even make the top 10 global solar PV countries.

Top 10 solar PV countries in Europe, in terms of installed capacity, in 2015 are:

  1. Germany (39,700 MW; #2 in world capacity)

  2. Italy (18,920 MW; #5 in capacity)

  3. UK (8,780 MW; #6 in capacity)

  4. France (6,580 MW; #7 in capacity)

  5. Spain (5,400 MW; #8 in capacity)

  6. Belgium (3,250 MW; #12 in capacity)

  7. Greece (2,613 MW; #13 in capacity)

  8. Czech Republic (2,083; MW; #15 in capacity)

  9. Netherlands (1,570 MW; #16 in capacity)

  10. Switzerland (1,360 MW; #18 in capacity, not in EU)

Finally, it should be noted that while Germany’s investment in solar PV is great for the environment, household and business electricity prices tend to be among the highest in Europe.

This is of course due to the fact that, geographically, Germany is not the best located country for maximum solar PV potential. The fact that it has such a large capacity is due to the fact that Germany has very generous solar subsides.

North America

The story in North America is very much as you’d expect. California and the South Western offer the greatest potential within the mainland United States and that’s exactly where the majority of installed capacity is located. Unlike Europe, American solar subsidies have tended to be less generous, which means that installed capacity more closely mirrors solar potential.

Globally, the United States is the 4th largest solar electricity generator with 25,620 MW of installed capacity. Canada, with far less potential, still manages a respectable 2,500 MW making it number 14 in the world, whereas Mexico with a greater potential than the United States is only ranked number 32 globally with a small 282 MW of installed capacity.

Australia

With its massive potential, it’s surprising that Australia is only the world’s 9th largest solar PV generator, with only 5,070 MW of installed solar capacity. Far less than the cold, grey and cloudy United Kingdom.

Middle East and Africa

Despite both regions amazing solar energy potential, they lag far behind the world’s more developed countries in terms of installed capacity. Israel, is the largest solar energy producer in the Middle East with 881 MW, only enough to make number 25 in the world. South Africa is the largest generator in Africa with 1,120 MW, making it the world’s 20th biggest generator.

Central and South America

Central and South America follow a very familiar story to Africa with lots of potential but little installed capacity. Chile is the leader in the region with 848 MW of installed capacity, which places it just 26th in the world.

Asia

Asia, like Europe, is investing heavily in solar with many of the top global generators coming from the continent. This includes China the world’s single largest solar generating country.

Top 10 solar PV countries in Asia, in terms of installed capacity, in 2015 are:

  1. China (43,530 MW; #1 in world capacity)

  2. Japan (34,410 MW; #3 in capacity)

  3. India (5,050 MW; #10 in capacity)

  4. South Korea (3,430 MW; #11 in capacity)

  5. Thailand (1,420 MW; #17 in capacity)

  6. Taiwan (1,010 MW; #22 in capacity)

  7. Pakistan (1,000 MW; #23 in capacity)

  8. Turkey (266 MW; #33 in capacity)

  9. Malaysia (231 MW; #35 in capacity)

  10. Philippines (155 MW; #36 in capacity)

Solar power in Turkey

Turkey is located in an advantageous position in the Middle East and Southeast Europe for solar energy. Compared to the rest of the region, insolation values are higher and conditions for solar power generation are comparable to Spain. The government is aiming for at least 3 gigawatts (GW) by 2023. Solar power in Turkey could increase massively if proper policies were adopted, but growth has been slow in the past years. Although solar panel prices are decreasing but still the generation cost of solar power is high as compare to the other power generation methods. Solar potential is very high in Turkey, especially in South Eastern Anatolia and Mediterranean regions solar energy potential is very high.

Insolation

  • The annual average total insolation duration is 2640 hours (7.2 hours per day).

  • Average annual solar radiation is 1311 kW·h/(m²·yr) or 3.6 kW·h/(m²·d).

Covering one half of one percent of the land area of Turkey with solar panels would be sufficient to generate all of the electricity used.

Policies, laws and incentives

Turkey enacted its second Renewable Energy Law, namely Law No. 6094 Concerning the use of Renewable Energy Resources for the Generation of Electrical Energy, in 2010.Turkish government is also encouraging expansion and the utilization of solar energy for electricity generation. To stimulate investment in renewables, various incentive schemes have been introduced For example, renewable energy plants with an installed capacity of 500 kW or less are exempt from licensing obligations Solar energy sources are covered by this law, which decrees that facilities which generate electricity from renewable energy sources will be granted a renewable energy resources certificate (RER Certificate) which will entitle such facilities to benefit from the incentives provided by the Law. EMRA is the competent authority to grant the RER Certificates.

Systems producing up to 50KW (e.g. residential systems) are more lightly regulated than larger ones.

Systems producing up to 1-megawatt (MW) of energy do not need a license, and plugged into the national grid are eligible for payments of US$0.133 per kilowatt-hour for 10 years.

Systems producing over 1-megawatt (MW) of energy must be licensed, but only if they feed into the grid. Such licences often become mired in the bureaucracy which is meant to ensure the grid can cope. As of May 2015 600MW of these larger installation tenders have been approved. The one off fee per MW varies considerably depending on the result of each tender.

Turkey has a fair feed in tariff. Turkey is already at grid parity for private households and commercial users. In the coming years solar energy will be feasible without any feed-in-tariff mechanism.

Photovoltaics

Photovoltaics (PV) are expected to grow dramatically in the next few years. Chinese companies are investing. Solar power plants are manufactured in Turkey and also a prototype dye-sensitized solar cell production plant is to be set up. In 2015, PV produced nearly 700 TeraJoule.

bottom of page