Running head: ANALYZING SOLAR POWERS POSITION

Analyzing solar powers position as a contender in the energy debate

John S. Pearce
California Baptist University, ENG 123
Berniece Bruinius

ANALYZING SOLAR POWERS POSITION

Thesis statement: Does solar technology have the potential to become a viable contender
in the worlds energy market with the worlds current invention pathways.
Ashhab, M. S., Kaylani, H., & Abdallah, A. (2013). PV solar system feasibility study. Energy
Conversion & Management, 65777-782.
Mohd Ashhab, Hazem Kaylani, and Abdallah Abdallahs (2013) article examines the
feasibility and application of hybrid solar technologies, which utilize solar power as its main
source but switches to electric or diesel when solar power becomes inefficient. The focus of the
hybrid system is in the application of heating and air-conditioning predominantly in the Middle
East countries and other similar developed countries. The authors built a prototype of a hybrid
system which utilizes photovoltaic panels for the solar component. According to Ashhab,
Kaylani, and Abdallahs (2013) data, the photovoltaic component performed adequately enough
to warrant further augmentation of other energy technologies. The authors study is an interesting
application of solar technologies which may be useful for limiting underdeveloped countries
need for oil and coal while providing their people access to heating and air-conditioning.
However, their study is limited and would benefit from continued research in augmentation of
solar technology for the use of reducing carbon producing energy.
Braun, F. G., Hooper, E., Wand, R., & Zloczysti, P. (2011). Holding a candle to innovation in
concentrating solar power technologies: A study drawing on patent data. Energy Policy,
39(5), 2441-2456.
In the article, Frauke Braun, Elizabeth Hooper, Robert Wand, and Petra Zloczysti (2011)
focus the article on concentrated solar panel technologies or CSP. CPS technology has recently
experienced a renewed interest since being discarded in light of other renewable energy (RE)
technologies. The authors assert that, fundamentally CSP technologies is based on the conversion
of photo-thermal energy to heat. The process and materials can differ based on the application of
CSP technology. The essay uses patents as an indicator in the innovation of CSP technologies
through examining patent data from 1978 through 2004. The authors found that patent data for
CSP technology was surprisingly lower than other environmentally sensitive technologies such
as wind, hydroelectric, and photovoltaic. Research and development of CSP technologies are
mainly concentrated in highly developed countries such as the United States, Germany, and
Japan; those countries absent the United States are unable to fully utilize the full potential of CSP
technology based on global solar thermal activity. Braun, Hooper, Wand, and Zloczysti (2011)
assert that an improved understanding of innovative pathways of renewable energy is crucial in
reducing carbon footprints which, is important in its own right but solely examining patent data
as a means of measuring CSP innovation is not the most accurate way to assess CSPs position in
the energy market.

ANALYZING SOLAR POWERS POSITION

Burns, J., & Kang, J. (2012). Comparative economic analysis of supporting policies for
residential solar PV in the United States: Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC)
potential. Energy Policy, 44217-225.
In the article, John Burns and Jin-Su Kang (2012) acknowledge that in the United States,
photovoltaic technology relies almost entirely upon government support policies. The Energy
market in the United States is predominantly regulated by the state, which allows each state to
operate as its own energy market (Burns and Kang, 2012). Burns and Kang conducted an
economic and financial analysis in order to determine which states would be a viable option for
solar photovoltaic technology. The authors found that states with the highest energy pricing is
better suited for residential photovoltaic technologies whereas conversely states with lower
energy pricing is a less suitable choice for photovoltaic. Burns and Kangs study is useful for
gaining insight into virtual and state energy laws, evaluating the worth and impact of laws on
residential photovoltaic technologies, and identifying the ideal states to utilize photovoltaic
technologies on account of high energy costs. The study is useful in evaluating where
strategically installing photovoltaic panels in high energy cost states would lower domestic
energy prices. Their study is beneficial but green technologies should not be installed solely on
the purpose of saving money but they should also consider green technologies ability to lower
the carbon footprint.
Laird, J. (2012). Getting a grip on solar costs. Renewable Energy Focus,13(6), 24-31.
Joyce Laird (2012) believes that recent advancements in the installation and mounting of
photovoltaic technologies are decreasing the cost of installing said systems in residential and
business environments. The article examines the numerous advancements in solar technology
and installation by examining the various companies which have made contributions and
innovating the field of photovoltaic. Laird (2012) found that advancements by Westinghouse
Solar in combining racking, wiring and grounding directly in the solar panel has decreased the
cost, installation time, and installation efficiency. Laird (2012) evaluated SnapNracks
invention of universal clamps which work with almost all the various photovoltaic panel models,
and will reduce the time spent in installing the panels. Laird (2012) also examines other various
companies which are making breakthroughs in frameless panels and integrating or combining
components in order to decrease costs and installation time as well as increasing efficiency.
Lairds article delivers an insightful look at the advancements in solar technology made by
companies in order to advance said technologys potential in the energy market.
Makrides, G., Zinsser, B., Norton, M., Georghiou, G. E., Schubert, M., & Werner, J. H. (2010).
Potential of photovoltaic systems in countries with high solar irradiation. Renewable &
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 14(2), 754-762.

ANALYZING SOLAR POWERS POSITION

In Potential of photovoltaic systems in countries with high solar irradiation, Makrides

et al. (2010) mainly discusses new advancements in various photovoltaic technologies and
reviews the potential of various photovoltaic technologies in countries with a large solar
radiation potential by investigating thirteen different photovoltaic models which have been
implemented in Cyprus and Germany. An examination of photovoltaic systems performance in
environmental locations is also provided. Photovoltaic is a solar technology which directly
converts solar energy/radiation to electricity by means of semiconductors. Makrides et al. (2010)
found that photovoltaic systems installed in Cyprus were able to achieve a high energy yield
which fell within the range of 1600 to 1700 kWh/kWP and combined with the other results, the
authors believe that photovoltaic technology can have a major influence in the energy market.
Makrides et al. (2010) also found that seasonally thin film technologies are more effective than
crystalline silicon. The article provides a useful look at the efficiency of the different
photovoltaic technologies which is crucial in developing the most efficient technology to take
advantage of solar radiation. However, the study only evaluates the various photovoltaic
technologies at two locations which may lead to errors in the data when compared with studies
evaluating photovoltaic technologies at different climates.
Pacas, J. M., Molina, M. G., & dos Santos, E. C. (2012). Design of a robust and efficient power
electronic interface for the grid integration of solar photovoltaic generation
systems. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 37(13), 10076-10082.
The authors discuss the increasing prevalence of photovoltaic electricity generation in
distributed generation (DG) and their ensuing effect on the operation and management of the
grid while focusing mainly on power electronics. Power electronics play a critical role in
maintaining the integrity of the grid and photovoltaic systems. The authors have innovated a
three-level cascaded Z-source inverter which permits a more robust and reliable electrical
generation from photovoltaic plants. The studys single stage PCS equipped with self-boosting
technology is a simpler and effective replacement over the traditional two-stage; overall, the
improvements made in the studies power technologies will improve the current infrastructure of
photovoltaic plants and provide greater control over the electrical system. Power electronics
cannot be overlooked in the discussion of commercial solar power plants on account of their role
in linking the panels to the grid. The authors study will be useful in developing innovative power
electronics which can adequately handle the current infrastructure in the wake of rapid
advancements in photovoltaic technologies.
Pearce, J. M. (2009). Expanding photovoltaic penetration with residential distributed generation
from hybrid solar photovoltaic and combined heat and power systems. Energy, 34(11),
1947-1954.

ANALYZING SOLAR POWERS POSITION

Joshua Pearce (2009) analyzes the potential of combined heat and power systems (CHP) with
photovoltaic (PV) arrays with the purpose of increasing the penetration of photovoltaic energy.
Pearce (2009) begins by discussing the limits of photovoltaic penetration within the current
power grid. Pearce (2009) found that despite changes in the angle or the addition of photovoltaic
panels the electricity load cannot be met in real time with photovoltaic. Pearces (2009) study
conducted his results based on residential housing scenarios by analyzing the requirements of
single families. Pearces (2009) study found that a CHP plus PV hybrid system can overcome the
limitations of the solely dedicated PV system without the need of storage backups. Furthermore,
CHP plus PV hybrids can reduce residential energy byproduct waste from 16% to 65% and
enables PV technology to be expanded without storage technology. The author supplied an
interesting look at the potential of combining PV technology with other solar technologies in
order to eliminate conventional energy waste byproducts and to increase PVs power generation
without the need for external storage. Further research is necessary in determining whether
coupling storage to PV plus CHP hybrid technology could increase steady-state photovoltaic
solutions.
Reichelstein, S., & Yorston, M. (2013). The prospects for cost competitive solar PV
power. Energy Policy, 55117-127.
Stefan Reichelstein and Michael Yorstons (2013) essay provides an extensive comparison of the
costs affordability of new solar photovoltaic systems. Reichelstein and Yorston (2013) concluded
that photovoltaic utility systems are not yet cost competitive with fossil fuel power utility
systems whereas, commercial installations of photovoltaic systems have already achieved
equivalence in some states in the USA. The authors calculations assert that utility scaled
photovoltaic utility systems will achieve equivalence by the end of the decade if solar power
federal tax encouragements were to expire. Reichelstein and Yorstons (2013) study is interesting
and provides an intuitive look at photovoltaic position as a contender in commercial and
residential power utilization. On the other hand, Reichelstein and Yorstons (2013) study may fail
in some points by assuming some scenarios such as: current tax subsidies, a constant percentage
reduction in the installation of solar panels and a continuous linear growth. Nevertheless the
authors study postulates a viable prospective in photovoltaic potential in achieving grid scale
commercial power generation.
STOREY, E. B. (2012). SOLAR PANEL PROJECTS: DOES IT PAY TO PLAY?. Journal of
Property Management, 77(6), 46-50.

ANALYZING SOLAR POWERS POSITION

Eric Story evaluates the prospect of solar projects potentially extended payback period of
over five years, which may deter potential clients from pursuing solar technology. Thus, under
the federal Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System businesses can recover their initial
investment in under five years. In addition, the author evaluates ways to decrease cost and
components in solar installations. Story (2012) offers a valuable examination of government
initiatives to increase the amount of solar panel technologies and subsequently lower
environmental footprint in energy production. Installations of solar technology should not be
based purely on cost-effectiveness but also on their lower environmental footprint. Thus, the
federals initiative is an excellent first step in increasing the prevalence of green technologies.
Yaqub, M., Shahram Sarkni, P. E., & Mazzuchi, T. (2012). Feasibility Analysis of Solar
Photovoltaic Commercial Power Generation in California. Engineering Management
Journal, 24(4), 36-49.
Mahdi Yaqub, Shahram Sarkni, and Thomas Mazzuchi (2012) analyzed the feasibility of
photovoltaics place in commercial power generation in California. The authors believe that the
difference in costs between commercial photovoltaics and traditional power can be narrowed by
facilitating long-term purchase power agreements and low interest rates. The authors evaluated
their methods by using the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), in order to accurately compare
with other electrical generation methods, cash flow of a midsize California photovoltaic plant.
Furthermore, the authors believe the project can succeed by utilizing a self-sustaining finance
scheme. And lastly, the authors evaluate situations when photovoltaic power is cost competitive
with other conventional electricity generation technologies. The authors concluded that
commercial photovoltaic utilities can compete to traditional power utilities when they have
long-term purchase power agreements and low interest rates (Yaqub, Sarkni, and Mazzuchi
(2012). The article can advance the financing and investment strategies which can improve
photovoltaics commercial power generation costs competitiveness in contrast to conventional
power sources. The financial feasibility of solar technologies are sometimes overlooked in light
of the advancements made in the hardware. Thus, the authors study provides a valuable analysis
of the financial infrastructure involved in commercial photovoltaic power plants.