World Solar Energy Review: Technology, Markets and Policies

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

World Solar Energy Review: Technology, Markets and Policies The Center for Energy and Environmental Policy conducts interdisciplinary and collaborative research and supports graduate instruction in energy, environmental, and sustainable development policy. The Center serves as a University-wide forum for the discussion and dissemination of faculty, staff, and graduate student research in these areas. In addition to its research and instructional activities, the Center also provides technical assistance to community, state, federal and international agencies and nonprofit organizations. The Center is composed of an internationally diverse faculty, professional staff, and graduate student body with backgrounds in a variety of disciplines including political science, economics, sociology, geography, philosophy, urban planning, environmental studies, history, and engineering. Research programs currently organized in the Center include comparative energy and environmental policy, sustainable development, political economy of energy, environment and development, environmental justice, conservation and renewable energy options, integrated resource planning, and technology environment and society. Graduate areas of specialization in energy and environmental policy are supported at the master‘s and doctoral levels. Mailing Address: John Byrne Director Center for Energy and Environmental Policy University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716-7381 Email: [email protected] Telephone: (302) 831-8405 Telefax: (302) 831-3098 Website: http://ceep.udel.edu ii WORLD SOLAR ENERGY REVIEW: TECHNOLOGY, MARKETS AND POLICIES John Byrne, Lado Kurdgelashvili, Manu V. Mathai, Ashok Kumar, Jung-Min Yu, Xilin Zhang, Jun Tian, and Wilson Rickerson Center for Energy and Environmental Policy University of Delaware Govinda R. Timilsina Environment and Energy Unit, Development Research Group The World Bank May 2010 iii Table of Contents 1. Status of Solar Energy Technology ........................................................................................ 1 1.1 Global Solar Energy Potential .......................................................................................... 1 1.2 Regional Solar Energy Potential ....................................................................................... 2 1.3 A Characterization of Solar Energy Technologies ........................................................... 5 1.4 Photovoltaics ................................................................................................................... 10 1.4.1 Grid-connected PV................................................................................................... 11 1.4.2 Off-grid PV Systems ................................................................................................ 14 1.4.3 Production of PV Cells ............................................................................................ 15 1.5 Solar Thermal .................................................................................................................. 18 1.5.1 Solar Thermal Electric ............................................................................................. 19 1.5.2 Solar Thermal Non-Electric ..................................................................................... 20 2. A Comparative Analysis of Solar and Non-Solar Energy Costs .......................................... 23 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 23 2.2 Cost Comparison for Centralized Power Generation Technologies ............................... 26 2.2.1 Coal .......................................................................................................................... 26 2.2.2 Natural Gas .............................................................................................................. 28 2.2.3 Nuclear Power .......................................................................................................... 29 2.2.4 Wind ......................................................................................................................... 30 2.2.5 Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) ........................................................................... 31 2.3 Cost Comparison for Distributed Power Generation Technologies ............................... 32 2.3.1 PV ............................................................................................................................ 33 2.3.2 Fuel Cells ................................................................................................................. 35 iv 2.3.3 Geothermal Heat Pumps .......................................................................................... 35 2.4 Comparison of the LCOEs for Distributed and Central Station Renewable Energy Technologies ......................................................................................................................... 36 2.5 Experience Curves .......................................................................................................... 37 2.5.1 Experience Curves of Renewable Electric Technologies ........................................ 39 2.5.2. Insights into Short-Term Cost Trends in Solar PV ................................................. 40 2.5.2.1. Trends in Module Costs ....................................................................................... 41 2.5.2.2. Trends in Other System Costs.............................................................................. 42 2.5.3 Aggregate Impacts ................................................................................................... 43 2.6 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 43 3. Development of Solar Energy Technologies and Existing Barriers .................................... 45 3.1 History of Development of Solar Energy Technologies ................................................. 45 3.2 Diffusion Trends of Photovoltaics Compared to other Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies ......................................................................................................................... 46 3.3 Barriers to the Development and Utilization of Solar Energy Technologies ................. 49 3.3.1Technical Barriers (PV) ............................................................................................ 49 3.3.2 Technical Barrier (Solar thermal) ............................................................................ 50 3.3.3 Economic Barriers (PV) ........................................................................................... 51 3.3.4 Economic Barriers (Solar Thermal) ......................................................................... 52 3.3.5 Institutional Barriers ................................................................................................ 52 4. A Review of Policy Frameworks to Support Solar Energy Development ........................... 55 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 55 4.2 Germany .......................................................................................................................... 56 4.2.1 Photovoltaics ............................................................................................................ 56 4.3 United States ................................................................................................................... 59 v 4.3.1 Photovoltaics ............................................................................................................ 59 4.3.2 Solar Thermal Electric ............................................................................................. 64 4.4 Spain ............................................................................................................................... 66 4.4.1 Solar Thermal Heating ............................................................................................. 66 4.4.2 Solar Thermal Electric ............................................................................................. 68 4.5 Lessons Learned .............................................................................................................. 69 4.5.1 Photovoltaics ............................................................................................................ 70 4.5.2 Solar Thermal Heating ............................................................................................. 70 4.5.3 Solar Thermal Electric ............................................................................................. 71 4.6 India ................................................................................................................................ 71 4.6.1 Photovoltaics ............................................................................................................ 71 4.6.2 Solar Thermal Heating ............................................................................................. 75 4.6.3 Solar Thermal Electric ............................................................................................. 77 4.7 China ............................................................................................................................... 79 4.7.1 Photovoltaics ............................................................................................................ 79 4.7.2 Solar
Recommended publications
  • Electrical Hints and Tips for Solar Car Challenge Race Teams
    Electrical Hints and Tips for Solar Car Challenge Race Teams Revision 1.0 - August 28, 2013. By Dan Lepinski, Solar Engineer In the Public Domain To: All Teams Participating in the Solar Car Challenge .. Past, Present, and Future... Purpose: Suggestions and Comments for Improved Design and Assembly of Solar Cars Introduction By way of introduction, my name is Dan Lepinski. I’m a professional solar energy engineer. 2013 is my 41 st year of involvement in the solar energy industry where I continue to serve as a design engineer, consultant, and advisor. I had the pleasure and frustration of accompanying the 2013 race from Fort Worth, Texas to Los Angeles, California. My role was that of a volunteer. I provided solar-generated 120 volt AC electrical power for any team that needed it for repairs or other purposes along the way. I accomplished this with a large “solar” trailer, which was capable of powering the largest welders and compressors used by any team. 11 of the 14 teams participating in the 2013 Solar Car Challenge used power from my equipment along the race route for their welders, grinders, compressors, drills, saws, and more. They did whatever was necessary to make their cars roadworthy again. Some teams worked for up to an hour or more at a time to effect changes and repairs. It’s not important they used my equipment for this purpose. The important thing to remember ... every 2013 team succeeded in finishing the race. While repairs were underway by various teams, I had an opportunity to view their solar car wiring and construction in detail.
    [Show full text]
  • Integrated Solar Lighting for Pedestrian Crosswalk Visibility
    Integrated Solar Lighting for Pedestrian Crosswalk Visibility A report written for the Florida Department of Transportation Authored by Jonathan Scheffe University of Florida Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Gainesville, FL 32611 October 31st, 2016 Task Order # 977-62 Master Agreement Order # BDV31 PI: Jonathan Scheffe PM: Ronald Chin Co-PM: Trey Tillander III 1 Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Background and Motivation ........................................................................................................... 4 Description of Relevant Commercial Technologies ....................................................................... 5 Solar Roadways® ......................................................................................................................... 5 Structural Analysis .................................................................................................................. 7 Wattway ...................................................................................................................................... 8 SolaRoad ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Hejimans - Studio Roosegaarde ................................................................................................ 11 Other Possible Solutions ..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Next-Generation Solar Power Dutch Technology for the Solar Energy Revolution Next-Generation High-Tech Excellence
    Next-generation solar power Dutch technology for the solar energy revolution Next-generation high-tech excellence Harnessing the potential of solar energy calls for creativity and innovative strength. The Dutch solar sector has been enabling breakthrough innovations for decades, thanks in part to close collaboration with world-class research institutes and by fostering the next generation of high-tech talent. For example, Dutch student teams have won a record ten titles in the World Solar Challenge, a biennial solar-powered car race in Australia, with students from Delft University of Technology claiming the title seven out of nine times. 2 Solar Energy Guide 3 Index The sunny side of the Netherlands 6 Breeding ground of PV technology 10 Integrating solar into our environment 16 Solar in the built environment 18 Solar landscapes 20 Solar infrastructure 22 Floating solar 24 Five benefits of doing business with the Dutch 26 Dutch solar expertise in brief 28 Company profiles 30 4 Solar Energy Guide The Netherlands, a true solar country If there’s one thing the Dutch are remarkably good at, it’s making the most of their natural circumstances. That explains how a country with a relatively modest amount of sunshine has built a global reputation as a leading innovator in solar energy. For decades, Dutch companies and research institutes have been among the international leaders in the worldwide solar PV sector. Not only with high-level fundamental research, but also with converting this research into practical applications. Both by designing and refining industrial production processes, and by developing and commercialising innovative solutions that enable the integration of solar PV into a product or environment with another function.
    [Show full text]
  • Financing the Transition to Renewable Energy in the European Union
    Bi-regional economic perspectives EU-LAC Foundation Miguel Vazquez, Michelle Hallack, Gustavo Andreão, Alberto Tomelin, Felipe Botelho, Yannick Perez and Matteo di Castelnuovo. iale Luigi Bocconi Financing the transition to renewable energy in the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean Financing the transition to renewable energy in European Union, Latin America and Caribbean EU-LAC / Università Commerc EU-LAC FOUNDATION, AUGUST 2018 Große Bleichen 35 20354 Hamburg, Germany www.eulacfoundation.org EDITION: EU-LAC Foundation AUTHORS: Miguel Vazquez, Michelle Hallack, Gustavo Andreão, Alberto Tomelin, Felipe Botelho, Yannick Perez and Matteo di Castelnuovo GRAPHIC DESIGN: Virginia Scardino | https://www.behance.net/virginiascardino PRINT: Scharlau GmbH DOI: 10.12858/0818EN Note: This study was financed by the EU-LAC Foundation. The EU-LAC Foundation is funded by its members, and in particular by the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the authors and cannot be considered as the point of view of the EU- LAC Foundation, its member states or the European Union. This book was published in 2018. This publication has a copyright, but the text may be used free of charge for the purposes of advocacy, campaigning, education, and research, provided that the source is properly acknowledged. The co- pyright holder requests that all such use be registered with them for impact assessment purposes. For copying in any other circumstances, or for reuse in other publications, or for translation and adaptation,
    [Show full text]
  • DOE Green Energy
    Photo Credits This page (clockwise from top): The University of Colorado 2002 Solar Decathlon winning house, NREL/PIX12166. 2005 Solar Decathlon teams constructing their houses for this year’s event: University of Colorado/PIX14139; University of Michigan/PIX14140; University of Texas at Austin/PIX14143; New York Institute of Technology/PIX14141 Cover: All photos are from the 2002 Solar Decathlon (left, from top): NREL/PIX11796, 11892, 11762; large image: NREL/PIX12996 2 Solar Decathlon 2005 Solar Decathlon 2005 3 Secretary of Energy, Samuel Bodman, gives a hand in the construction of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2005 Habitat for Humanity house in Wheatridge, Competition Program Colorado. This highly efficient, solar-powered house will generate as much energy as it consumes. Credits: NREL/PIX14017 (above); NREL/PIX11977 (upper right) Contents Message from the Secretary of Energy ...............................3 Welcome to the Solar Decathlon..........................................4 Message from the Things to See and Do............................................................5 Secretary of Energy Let the Competition Begin....................................................6 Who’s Who at the Solar Decathlon.......................................8 Welcome to Washington, D.C., and the Solar Decathlon, the only About the Technologies........................................................9 competition that brings together architecture, design, and technology Teams (ordered by house number): to demonstrate ways that Americans
    [Show full text]
  • Conference Programme
    Monday, 6 September 2021 Monday, 6 September 2021 CONFERENCE PROGRAMME Please note, that this Programme may be subject to alteration and the organisers reserve the 09:45 – 10:15 Becquerel Prize Ceremony right to do so without giving prior notice. The current version of the Programme is available at www.photovoltaic-conference.com. (i) = invited Chair of Ceremony: Christophe Ballif Monday, 06 September 2021 Chairman of the Becquerel Prize Committee, EPFL, Neuchâtel, Switzerland Becquerel Prize Winner 2021 MONDAY MORNING Ulrike Jahn VDE Renewables, Germany CONFERENCE OPENING Representative of the European Commission: Christian Thiel European Commission Joint Research Centre, Head of Unit, Energy Efficiency and Renewables PLENARY SESSION AP.1 / Scientific Opening Laudatio Thomas Nordmann 8:30 – 09:30 Devices in Evolution: Pushing the Efficiency Limits and TNC Consulting, Switzerland Broadening the Technology Portfolio Chairpersons: 10:30 – 11:15 Opening Addresses Robert P. Kenny European Commission JRC, Ispra, Italy Wim C. Sinke Chaired by: TNO Energy Transition, Petten, The Netherlands João M Serra EU PVSEC Conference General Chair. Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisbon, Portugal AP.1.1 Perfecting Silicon M. Boccard, V. Paratte, L. Antognini, J. Cattin, J. Dréon, D. Fébba, W. Lin, Kadri Simson J. Thomet, D. Türkay & C. Ballif European Commissioner for Energy EPFL, Neuchâtel, Switzerland João M Serra AP.1.2 Beyond Single Junction Efficiencies R. Peibst EU PVSEC Conference General Chair. ISFH, Emmerthal, Germany Faculdade de Ciências
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainablevillage
    The Vol. I No. 1 SustainableVillage APPLIANCES 123 Washing Machines MICROENTERPRISES 125 Cooking 4 MicroBusiness Ideas 127 Kitchen WATER 129 Sewing 130 Refrigerators 17 Pumping 134 Communications 32 Storage 137 Entertainment 34 Treatment 43 Distillers CONSERVATION 44 Water Saving 140 Composting Toilets 46 Rainwater 146 Greywater Systems ENERGY HEATING AND COOLING 47 Hydrogen 148 Insulation 48 Hydro Electric 150 Fans and Solar Cooling 50 Wind Generators 154 Solar Water Heating 53 Generators, Motors, Etc. 160 Woodstoves 55 Photovoltaics 161 Space Heating 65 Trackers and Mounts 163 Solar Space and Water Heating 68 Laptop and Flashlight Chargers 69 Dry Cell Batteries and Chargers ECOLOGY 73 Inverters 165 Home 80 Power Conditioning 166 Personal Care 81 Converters 167 Alternative Transportation 82 Deep Cycle Batteries 168 Shelter 85 Battery Chargers and Accessories 170 Educational Toys/Gifts 88 Voltage Regulators BOOKS The Sustainable Village 94 System Components 171 Composting Toilets/Greywater 717 Poplar Ave LIGHTING Boulder, CO 80304 172 Appropriate Technology 99 DC Lighting Tel 303-998-1323 • 888-317-1600 173 Make Your Own 108 Lanterns email us at: 174 Ecology and Environment 109 Flashlights [email protected] 175 Hydronic Heating 111 Outdoor Lighting 176 Remote Medical Website: For our complete 113 Commercial Lighting 177 Water inventory of over 8,000 products: 179 Hydro and Wind Power www.thesustainablevillage.com. TOOLS 180 Solar Electric 116 Tools Printed on 100% recycled 181 Solar Cooking 118 Farm and Ranch paper (40% post consumer 181 Renewable Energy 121 Remote Medical waste) with soy based ink. 182 Alternative Transportation Key to symbols: REMOTE MEDICAL 183 Biogas Freight collect – too big 121 Centrifuge, Refrigeration 183 Alternative Building for UPS.
    [Show full text]
  • Siting Solar Without Cutting Down Trees
    Siting Solar Without Cutting Down Trees Griztko Erickson AMP and Lexington, Massachusetts • This project starts with the AMP’s Proposal to Lexington to be the anchor in a community solar deal • The project would have required a 10-acre deforestation and was backed with claims that solar panels have a better climate change value than trees • Better climate change value refers to the decrease in emissions from losing dependency on fossil fuels being greater than the carbon that 10-acres of forest would sequester. Is it Just about the Carbon Value? Trees offer much more than their functionality as carbon sinks • Trees sustain both habitats and biodiversity (a 2019 study from the UN’s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services suggests 1 million plant and animal species worldwide face extinction) • Trees provide urban cooling and flood control • Prevent erosion • Filter toxins from the air and water • Provide natural resources • Raise property values Do Trees really need to be cut down? Forests offer vital and unquantifiable benefits aside from just carbon sequestration. Because solar panels can be fitted on many kinds of impervious surfaces, there are functioning, viable alternatives to deforestation for solar farms. DOER Model Zoning Bylaw • According to Mass Audubon: “In recent years, more than 25% of all new solar arrays were large-scale ground mounted arrays on former forests or farmlands.” At this rate, more than 100,000 acres of land will be converted. • DOER Model Zoning Bylaw discourages solar siting in locations that result in land or natural resource loss, such as farm and forest land.
    [Show full text]
  • Syria Turkey Conflict Solar Car Challenge Deepfake Videos
    Episode 29 22nd October 2019 Syria Turkey Conflict 1. Discuss the Syria Turkey Conflict story as a class and record the main points of the discussion. 2. Where is Syria? Locate using Google Maps. 3. Which country attacked northern Syria recently? 4. When did the conflict in Syria start? 5. What is the name of the ethnic group that lives in northern Syria? 6. What did Syrian Kurds and US soldiers do in Northern Syria to make the area stable? 7. What did President Trump order recently? 8. How did people react to the order? 9. What questions do you have after watching the BTN story? 10. What do you understand more clearly since watching the BTN story? Solar Car Challenge 1. Briefly describe the World Solar Challenge. 2. Where does the race start and finish? 3. What is the distance of the race? 4. How do the solar panels work? 5. Solar power is a non-renewable resource. True or false? 6. The cars are only allowed on the road between _________and _________. 7. Explain how the World Solar Challenge began. 8. What challenges did some of the teams face this year? 9. What is the cruiser class? 10. What do you think is the future of solar cars? Explain your answer. Check out the Solar Car Challenge resource on the Teachers page. Deepfake Videos 1. What was the main point of the BTN story? 2. What is a deepfake video? 3. Deepfakes use ______________ intelligence software to analyse and map people’s faces. 4. Give an example of a deepfake video.
    [Show full text]
  • Design, Construction and Performance Study of a Solar
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Periodica Polytechnica (Budapest University of Technology and Economics) PP Periodica Polytechnica Design, Construction and Mechanical Engineering Performance Study of a Solar Assisted Tri-cycle 61(3), pp. 234-241, 2017 https://doi.org/10.3311/PPme.10240 Mahadi Hasan Masud1*, Md. Shamim Akhter1, Sadequl Islam1, Creative Commons Attribution b Abdul Mojid Parvej1, Sazzad Mahmud1 research article Received 04 November 2016; accepted after revision 06 March 2017 Abstract 1 Introduction Solar energy is one of the important sources of renewable From the beginning of the industrial revolution, the rate of energy which can be a feasible alternative to fossil fuels. There energy consumption has increased at an alarming rate due to are many works has been done in order to incorporate solar the synergistic effect of individual energy consumption and energy to everyday transportation including tricycle. However, population. This situation can be overcome with mass produc- most of the tricycle develops are expensive and not feasible tion of the photovoltaic (PV) cell which uses solar energy with for developing countries. In this study, a cheaper solar tricycle low fluctuation converted into electrical energy. The electrical with more capability of utilizing the solar energy is designed energy is obtained by converting the Sun’s energy by the pho- for developing countries. The main content of the tricycle is tovoltaic (PV) cell. By using this method, solar vehicles can Solar PV panel, Brushless PMDC motor, controller, and bat- be run which reduce the pressure on the energy sector as well tery.
    [Show full text]
  • Solar Powered Charging Station
    ASEE 2014 Zone I Conference, April 3-5, 2014, University of Bridgeport, Bridgpeort, CT, USA. Solar Powered Charging Station Kondracki, Ryan; Collins, Courtney; Habbab, Khalid Faculty Advisor: Bijan Karimi, Ph.D. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Sciences University of New Haven West Haven, CT Abstract — A solar powered charging station is designed so The objective of this project is to investigate the problem of that devices can be charged outdoors and in an environmentally providing an outdoor power source for charging devices in an friendly way. This system converts solar energy to electricity and environmentally friendly way to help reduce the demand of stores it in a battery bank. A microcontroller prevents the power from other methods. Our objective for this project will batteries from being overcharged and prevents the system from not only be to generate power from solar energy, but to also being used when the batteries need charging. conduct research to improve the efficiency of solar panels. We Keywords— solar energy, charging station, mobile devices will have to not only create this device but to optimize the project for sale as to create a cost-effective, economically I. INTRODUCTION friendly outdoor charging station for most electrical devices. Research on other existing solar stations and patents was In the past couple of years, advancements in technology put conducted by the team. From research of the existing designs, devices in our pockets that we could not have even dreamed of we found several points that can be improved. Three key areas years ago. However, these devices often have drawbacks.
    [Show full text]
  • Why Did We Choose a BP Solar Electric System? Our Family Is Reducing Air Pollution While “ ” Being Energy Independent
    “ By generating our own clean electricity, Why did we choose a BP Solar electric system? our family is reducing air pollution while “ ” being energy independent. And we’re doing it now so that our children can inherit a better world. When we decided to buy a solar electric system, we spent a lot of time researching. We finally selected BP Solar – their system had the high quality modules and system components that gave us the exactly what we wanted. But we also considered something else: the company’s experience. We wanted to do business with a name brand in the solar industry – one known for quality and reliability. And since BP Solar has been around for thirty years, we felt comfortable that they’re going to continue to be here. After all, what good is a long warranty if the company isn’t around to honor it?” For more information, visit our website: www.bpsolar.com USA Dankoff Solar Products - Hutton Communications - Georgia Polar Wire - Alaska Southwest PV Systems - Texas Talmage Solar Engineering, Inc. - Soltek Powersource Ltd. - Alberta Soltek Powersource Ltd - Ontario Alternative Solar Products - New Mexico Toll Free: 877.896.2806 Phone: 907.561.5955 Toll Free: 800.899.7978 Solar Market - Maine Toll Free: 888.291.9039 Toll Free: 888.300.3037 California Toll Free: 888.396.6611 Phone: 770.963.1380 Fax: 907.561.4233 Phone: 281.351.0031 Toll Free: 877.785.0088 Phone: 403.291.9039 Phone: 705.737.1555 Toll Free: 800.229.7652 Phone: 505.473.3800 Fax: 770.963.9335 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 207.985.0088 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 909.308.2366 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.polarwire.com Internet: www.southwestpv.com E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.spsenergy.com Internet: www.spsenergy.com E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.dankoffsolar.com Internet: www.huttonsolar.com Internet: www.solarmarket.com Internet: www.alternativesolar.com Solar Depot, Inc.
    [Show full text]