The Future is Bright:

The scientific, technological, and societal benefits of investments into

solar energy
Semester Paper: Solar Energy
EGEE 102H
By: Sarah Lillian Schaeffer

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 Table of Contents

Page

Introduction

Thesis ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

The Science of Solar Power

The History of Solar Energy and Science -----------------------------------------------3

The Science Behind this Renewable Resource -----------------------------------------4

The Effects of Science on the Reduction of Economic Barriers ---------------------5

Solar Technologies

Technological Realm of Solar Cells -----------------------------------------------------6

Technological Realm of Solar Storage --------------------------------------------------7

Technological Realm of Solar Applications --------------------------------------------9

Societal Impacts

Economic Impacts----------------------------------------------------------------------------------11

Environmental Impact------------------------------------------------------------------------------11

Policies association with geographic locations

Solar Energy Policy in North America

The United States -------------------------------------------------------13

Canada---------------------------------------------------------------------14

Solar Energy Policy in Europe

Spain ----------------------------------------------------------------------15

Solar Energy Policy in Asia

China ----------------------------------------------------------------------15

Conclusion------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16

Works-Cited ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17

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 Introduction

“More energy from sunlight strikes earth in one hour than all the energy

consumed by humans in an entire year (Lewis, 2007).” Sunlight is free, delivered to Earth

in large quantities, and for the time being it is reliable. Another way to conceptualize this

is that it takes just 18 days’ worth of sunlight on Earth to equate to the stored energy of

all the planets reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas (Union of Concerned Scientists,

2015). To understand the overarching impacts of solar energy, we must understand all of

the benefits of solar energy. To understand the magnitude of how this is possible, this

paper serves the purpose of analyzing the science behind solar energy, the technologies

that this renewable energy takes form it, and the ways that this renewable energy

integrates in modern society such as daily consumption, policy, environmental impacts,

etc. The information that is disseminated and explained in this paper serves the purpose

of justifying my thesis that solar energy is not only an effective renewable energy but is

also the energy of the future and something that governments and policies makers must

invest future investments into.

The Science of Solar Energy

The History of Solar Energy and Science

To begin the discussion of solar energy, we first must understand the history of

the renewable energy. Many think of renewables energies such as solar energy to be a

new phenomenon. However, solar energy is projected to date back as early as the 7th

century B.C. (Richardson, 2018). At this time, sunlight was utilized to cook food with

fire. The Greeks and Romans also utilized solar energy in the 3rd Century B.C. when they

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used mirrors in religious ceremonies to light the torches used in ceremonies. Other

examples include the Chinese in the use of mirrors as well as the Pueblo Native

Americans in 1200 A.D. to capture heat for survival in the winter season. In fact, even the

invention of sunlight powered stoves dates back as early as the 1700’s and 1800’s

(Richardson, 2018). In the late 1800’s, a scientist by the name of Charles Fritts was able

to produce the first solar cells. The cells were made with selenium wafers and marked a

significant advancement in solar technology. Essentially, while solar panels and plants

are a newer phenomenon, the use of the solar to conduct heat and energy is in no way a

new phenomenon (Richardson, 2018).

The Science Behind this Renewable Resource

To understand the relevance of the history (or what the significance of a solar cell

is), we must explore the science behind solar energy and what makes it successful. In a

Scientific American article, Chemist Paul Alivisatos explains the basics of how solar

energy produces energy. The article begins with the analogy of sun hitting one’s face on a

warm summer day which is actually the process of solar energy being converted to heat.

However, certain materials have the ability to turn this solar energy into electrical

current, which then produces power (Locke, 2008). There are two different ways that this

solar energy can be harnessed to produce energy. The first is passive solar technology

(Robinson, 2016). In this way, “skylights, awnings, shade trees, and windows placed on

the south side of the building are simple designs that concentrate on using the sun to help

keep your house lit with fewer bulbs, cooler with less AC, and warmer with less heat

(Robinson, 2016).” The opposite of passive solar technology is active solar technology,

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which is when “solar panels can reduce your energy costs by up to 40 percent and remove

the drain of coal on the environment. Solar heat collectors are able to harness the sun’s

energy for your HVAC and hot water needs in the home (Robinson, 2016).”

To explain this further, Alivisatos elaborates on what some of these materials

have been. Large silicon crystals were used to conduct electricity from light, as electrons

in the crystals would move when exposed to heat. In this way, these substances would

operate as solar cells, which are man-made devices that produce electricity from sun

energy. The issue (or lack or difficulty) with accessibility of silicon crystals has resulted

in a shift towards materials such as copper and gallum (Locke, 2008). However, even

these materials are not as accessible as would be necessary to further expand our

reliability on this renewable energy (Locke, 2008).

The Effects of Science on the Reduction of Economic Barriers

In a research study by Nathan Lewis, these different photoactive materials that

work well as solar cells is further explored. First, the research explains that these different

materials are analyzed based on the light-absorbing materials they possess in the

photoactive layer (Lewis, 2016). As discussed previously, crystalline silicon was the

tradition substance used. While on its own, crystalline silicon does not conduct electricity

well, through a process of doping, impurities are added to create electric current (Union

of Concerned Scientists, 2015). Doping typically has a bottom layer and a top layer. The

bottom layer is often doped with boron and silicon created a positive charge (P). The top

layer is negatively charged(N) with phosphorus and silicon bonded. This semiconductor

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is called then the P-N junction (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2015). Nathan Lewis’s

research states that this material relies on a p-n junction (Lewis, 2016). This p-n junction

is formed through “spatially directed doping of a planar silicon(SI) structure to effect

charge separation and to allow for efficient production of photocurrent and photo voltage

(Lewis, 2016).”

This research article then goes on to state that the dollars per peak watt of solar

panels has decreased by an average of twenty percent on the global scale (Lewis,

2016). In 2013, commercial solar panels accounted for ninety percent of all production,

and as the science of solar energy advance, we begin to see lower and lower costs of

these materials (Lewis, 2016).

Technological Innovations in Solar Energy Resources

To understand the technological advancements made in the realm of solar energy,

it is first important to understand current technologies that are utilized to create and store

solar energy. Solar technological advancements have taken place in four significant

realms: solar cells, storage, manufacturing, and application. To begin, we will analyze the

latest advanced in solar cell technologies. As explained previously, solar cells are the

very entities that allows for the energy from the sun to be converted into electricity.

Currently, most solar cells are only thought to be fifteen percent effective, which

indicates that only about fifteen percent of heat actually gets converted into electricity

(Alternative Energy). In order to move to more reliance on solar energy, battery

efficiency is one of the first places innovation must take place.

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Technological Realm of Solar Cells

Current scientists at the University of Toronto are doing research pertaining to

solar cells. This team has discovered a nanoparticle that is light sensitive and known as

colloidal quantum dots. These colloidal quantum dots have the ability to decrease the

expense of solar cells while also giving the opportunity for more flexible solar cells

(Alternative Energy). The materials for these new solar cells rely on n-type and p-type

semiconductors. What is so remarkable about this discovery is that these new solar cells

can work outdoors, which is again necessary for future reliance on solar energy.

Researchers were able to accomplish this by discovering “that n-type materials bind to

oxygen-the new colloidal quantum dots don’t bind to air and therefore not practical

applications of the solar market (Alternative Energy).”

In addition to innovations from the University of Toronto, the Imperial College

University in London has also been conducting research in the realm of solar cell

technology. The University claims to have discovered the material gallium arsenide,

causing the solar systems to be three times more efficient compared to the status quo

system’s (Alternative Energy). These efficiencies are due to the ability of the material to

better acquire sunlight

Technological Realm of Solar Storage

In the technological realm of storage, advancements have also been made. To

begin, I will discuss the successes in battery efficiency. Another concern for batteries is

not only the ability to retain energy, but also the efficiency of this process. “For example,

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a battery might be warrantied for 5,000 cycles or 10 years at 70 percent of its original

capacity. This means that at the end of the warranty, the battery will have lost no more

than 30 percent of its original ability to store energy (EnergySage, 2019). Ohio State

University researchers conducted a project funded by the United States Department of

Energy to create more efficient solar batteries. The researchers discovered that by

creating a design that incorporated the rechargeable component into the actual solar

panel, they were able to produce a battery that was not only twenty percent more efficient

in solar energy storage but it also became twenty-five percent cheaper for consumption

(Alternative Energy).

It is important to invest resources into storage because research shows that if solar

energy is not used immediately after being conducted, it is gone. In another word, it’s

important to figure out how to store this conducted energy since we will want to be able

to utilize this solar energy at all hours of the day, even when the sun isn’t shining.

Currently, batteries appear to be the most efficient ways we have to store this solar

energy. While these batteries are not very effective and have short lifespans, they are one

of the few methods we have. Fortunately, there has been success in the use of molten salt

in application to the realm of storage (Alternative Energy).

Specifically, the company Novatec Solar has found success in using inorganic

salts to successfully use heat fluid to transfer this solar energy as opposed to oils which

other status quo solar systems utilize (Alternative Energy). The company uses a flat glass

collector with a steel foundation to reflect sunlight. Once the sunlight gets to the receiver,

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the salt reaches very high temperatures of around 932 F (LeeDoug, 2014). Novatec Solar

worked along with BASF. The Head of Business Management and Inorganic Chemistry

Kerstin Dünnwald stated, “our knowledge of salt chemistry and the new technology

concepts are contributing to a significant improvement in the efficiency of solar thermal

power plants. With our portfolio of high-purity inorganic salts and our expertise in their

application, we help our customers operate this type of plant safely and efficiently

(LeeDoug, 2014).” Another exploration of this salt storage method is that it would allow

thermal power plants to operate longer, maximizing sunlight. The direct molten

salts(DMS) are advocated for by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and

Energy as this would be step forward in increasing renewable energy’s while decreases

causes of manufacturing them (LeeDoug, 2014).

Technological Realm of Solar Applications

The final realm of technological advancement being discussed is in solar

applications. The importance of application in this renewable energy could be used to

transform the industrial sector. In the status quo, many solar systems are located on roofs

or large solar farms However, the future of solar power reaches far beyond that. There is

currently research in developing solar powers on highways, on water, and even in space.

Solar panels on highways would help overcome land obstacles, since they typically take

up a large amount of space (Alternative Energy). These projects are already beginning in

both the Netherlands and China. China is actually the contributor of producing seventy-

percent of the worlds solar panel. (Alternative Energy). China is forced to be innovative

due to a lack of available land. In addition, highway solar panels in China could

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potentially lead to limited loss of transmissions lost as roads run all throughout cities

(Bradsher, 2018). In addition to environmental and economic benefits, the technology is

expected to also be beneficial to drivers experiences as it could guide them more clearly

to exists and would help keeps roads less slick by melting ice and snow (Bradsher, 2018).

The technology could guide them to exits and the technology is brighter and easier to

drive on. It can melt ice and snow patches with the heat that they conduct and store. The

two major companies in China that are working on this innovation are Pavenergy and

Qilu Transportation (Bradsher, 2018).

Solar panels that can be built on water is another innovation of the future that

could help us mitigate the obstacles are limited land for solar panel production

(Alternative Energy). The French firm, Ciel et Terre, has already begun to research this

very idea as water makes up such a large portion of our planet (Alternative Energy). The

third major way to overcome land issues is by creating solar energy in space. This

technology would be predicated on the idea that the sunlight extracted from satellites

could be directed back to earth in the form of microwave energy (Alternative Energy).

Societal Impacts

After addressing the science that provides the ability of the solar to create energy

and the current and future technological innovations that have allowed this renewable

energy, the societal impacts of these advancements must be evaluated. The societal

impacts are in the categories of markets, environmental impacts, and current policies

related to the renewable energy.

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Economic Impacts

As mentioned in previous sections of the paper, the technological advancements

have allowed for a decrease in production obstacles related to monetary restraints. As a

result, the markets for solar energy have significantly grown. In his book, Solar Energy:

Technologies and Project Delivery for Buildings, PhD. Andy Walker discusses the

advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. Dr. Walker explains that while short term-

costs are the main disadvantage, long term financial returns are actually going to save for

locations that typically have high electricity cost (Walker, 2013). Since sunlight is

delivered to our planet for free, solar energy would almost eliminate the costs of the

energy fuel itself, the delivery, and operation (Walker, 2013).

Another economic benefit of further investment into solar electricity is the

creation of jobs. These jobs are needed to plan projects, development and implement

these said projects, build plants, and manage and operate facilities. This would decrease

the unemployment rate while also increase the quality of life for individual families

(Heuberger, 2018). However, the economic impact is only a portion of the benefits that

individual societies will benefit from. The other main categories of benefits fall in

environmental impacts and government policies.

Environmental Impact

Environmental impacts from solar energy are a result of the production of it not

relying on harmful substances. In fact, unlike the production of fossil fuels, the pure

process of creating energy from the sun is generated without air or carbon pollution, ash,

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or other harmful products. The sole input of the manufacturing is the sunlight provided to

us on earth (Union of Concerned Scientists). These decrease in pollutions, would

significantly increase health conditions for societies living in highly concentrated

production areas. Individuals in cities or areas that decide to invest in solar energy

experience cleaner quality air that directly affects overall health (Heuberger, 2018).

While the main environmental challenge of solar energy is the amount of land

that it requires, these concerns can be mitigated by careful land selection before the

beginning of construction (Union of Concerned Scientists). Another solution to minimize

these concerns would be to begin solar projects on previous deteriorated land. An

example of this land would be closed landfills. In fact, in 2014, there was a six-megawatt

projected that was successfully finished at the Dennis landfill in Cape Cod (Union of

Concerned Scientists). In addition, New York City has been turning forty-seven acres of

its once largest landfill in the world into a 10 MW solar farm (Union of Concerned

Scientists). This once considered disadvantage of solar energy, is actually yet another

advantage to further investment into the electricity.

Policies association with geographic locations

In 2007, the Language in the Energy Independence and Security Act was

established. This act mandated the construction of any new US Federal building must

allow the building to be 30 percent dependent of solar energy for it’s hot water. The act

also set a declining scale for fossil fuels and estimates that by 2030, the sites should be

completely reliant on on-site renewable energy (Walker, 2013).

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 In fact, the United States is not the only country to make the move to adopting

solar energy through policy and diplomacy. Countries all around the world have begun to

combat fossil fuels with policies aimed at renewables. Due to the minor disadvantages to

solar energy, many policies direct individuals towards the specific renewable source. In

this section, analysis will be made upon the global environmental energy policies divided

by geographic region.

Solar Energy Policy in North America

The United States

Mentioned already, the United States has continued to increase its renewable

energy reliance’s immensely in the last decade. This increase is largely a result of policy.

It was estimated that the United States solar energy capacity increased by 17% in 2007,

according to The Solar Energy Industries Associations, “2008 U.S. solar Industry Year in

review” (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim, Hussain, 2011). In addition, as of 2010, all

renewable resources contributed 12% of the United States electricity supply. The

Department of Energy also stated that they hope to see 10-15% of the United States

energy supply be generated from solar sources alone by 2030 (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman,

Rahim, Hussain, 2011).

In addition to the investment in solar energy, the United States has also

established throughout its history, policies to help incentives the move to solar energy

from United States citizens. As far back as 1978, the United States adopted the Public

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Utility Regulatory Policies Act to support alternative energy(Kahlid, Islam, Rahman,

Rahim, Hussain, 2011). This policy was established following the rising cost of fossil

fuels. The Policy incentives were produced by providing payments after individuals

avoided producing industry energy from nonrenewable convention energy.

While this policy saw much success from its implementation in 1981 until 1990,

as oil prices began to drop, the renewable energy policy incentives had a hard time

competing with the prices of oil later on. Another United States policy created in the

1970’s was the Energy Tax Act of 1978, which provided tax credits for investments into

renewable systems (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim, Hussain, 2011). Specifically, the

act “created residential tax credits for 30% of the first $2000 invested in a solar or wind

system and 20% of the next $8000 invested; business tax credits for 15% of investment in

a solar, wind and geothermal system; and an excise tax exemption for gasohol, which was

later turned into a tax credit for ethanol” (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim, Hussain, 2011).

Essentially, tax incentives are an effective and widely utilized to move the United States

in the direction of a more environmentally friendly and solar future.

Canada

Canada is another contributor to policies increasing social reliance on solar

energy. In fact, Canada is the 5th largest producer of total energy production globally, as

energy is a major contributor to the Canadian economy (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim,

Hussain, 2011). A large part of the Canadian Government success with policies centers

around the subsidies that they endorse. Many of the Canadian renewable energy policies

are focused on taxation, trade, labor, regulations, etc. (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim,

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Hussain, 2011). In addition, the Ontario Power Authority initiated a 2009 program which

was supported by the Green Energy and Green Economy Act 2009. This act worked to

produce small solar PV’s in Canada (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim, Hussain, 2011). In

addition, a 2010 agreement was made between the Ontario government, Samsung C&T

Corporation, and the Korean Power Electric Corporation to include facilities to

manufacture solar PV and wind energy (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim, Hussain, 2011).

Solar Energy Policy in Europe

Spain

Much of future Spanish investment is specially in the realm of solar investments.

In 2008, Spain began to introduce new framework and rules to increase the market for

solar PV systems (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim, Hussain, 2011). Prior to these new

rules, the Real Decreto 436/2004 was in place and allowed producers to sell electricity

with a fixed tariff or to sell it on the free market, which did not incentive producers to

move to renewables. These new rules directly relate to the success Spain had in reaching

their energy targets (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim, Hussain, 2011). The country set a

goal of 400 MW by 2010, and reached an installed capacity of 680MW before 2008.

Spain has also invested in a comparably large amount of solar thermal power plants and

have also exceeded their Renewable Energy Plan early (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim,

Hussain, 2011).

Solar Energy Policy in Asia

China

As China is often known for its large economic growth over the 30 years, they

have an understanding of energy consumption and are responsible for several

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environmental effects. China has unfortunately been a huge contributor of carbon

emissions due to the burning of coal for energy. In fact, even though China’s per capita

carbon emission rate is decently low, they are the world second largest producer of

carbon emissions, with America being the biggest contributor (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman,

Rahim, Hussain, 2011).

Fortunately, as the price of energy has risen, China has become incentivized to

investments into solar energy. Chinese policies have included the manufacturing of

millions of solar PV equipment (Kahlid, Islam, Rahman, Rahim, Hussain, 2011). In

addition, The Renewable Energy Law was passed in 2005 by the National People’s

Congress. The new law increased regulations and guidelines for renewables and have

three goals. The first was to support future renewable electricity. The other goals focused

around performing research for different energy sources. These would allow for

replacements to oil and other less environmentally friendly sources (Kahlid, Islam,

Rahman, Rahim, Hussain, 2011).

Conclusion

Solar energy has existed for centuries as a means to conduct heat and energy from

the sun. Due to its environmental impacts of creating less pollution, increasing jobs, and

increasing uses for deteriorated land, investments into solar energy must be furthered.

Currently, prospects into this form of energy are in discovering for effective solar

batteries and ways to modify materials to better store solar energy. With these

advancements and environmental effects, the future of solar energy is one-way society

can move towards a more sustainable future.

Works Cited

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