Photovoltaic power as an alternative to coal

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Analysis

Photovoltaic power is electricity generated by photovoltaic or "solar" cells, which convert light energy from the sun into electrical energy. Solar cells have come a long way, both in efficiency and cost,1 and are an increasingly viable and common way to offset electricity use, both domestic and commercial2. The key drawback in solar energy generation is that when the sun goes down, there is no new energy created. As such, it's use is dependent on storage of energy for use during the night. However, as one article points out, it is very good at generating power during sunny days, when air conditioning and heat resistance puts an especially large strain on the power grid. A number of storage options have also been implemented or suggested, ranging from high capacity electric batteries, to compressed air storage to use to turn turbines, to hydrogen generation for use in fuel cells. Solar "farms" can be set up in land that is not suited for other purposes like farming, making it relatively cheap. Another key benefit is that solar panels can be installed with little to no impact on their environment, making them ideal for on-site energy generation, reducing losses incurred in transportation of energy.

Resources

Related SourceWatch articles

• Concentrating Solar Power
• Concentrating solar power land use
• Grid parity

External resources

• Jon Ryann, "Let buildings heat and cool themselves: How to kill coal in 10 years," Gristmill, February 20, 2008
• "Power from rooftops could replace coal," Gar Lipow, Gristmill, 6/30/08
• "A Solar Grand Plan," Ken Zweibel, James Mason and Vasilis Fthenakis, Scientific American, December 2007.
• "Tackling Climate Change in the U.S.: Potential Carbon Emissions Reductions from Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by 2030," American Solar Energy Society, January 2007.
• "The War on Coal: Think Outside the (Coal) Pits," Khosla Ventures, 2007 (PDF file)
• "U.S. installed solar capacity up 17 percent in 2008", Reuters, March 20, 2009.
• "Masdar Breaks Ground on Photovoltaic Factory in Germany", Media Release, August 21, 2008.

References

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