Dutch Solar Designer Revolutionizing the Industry

#Solar democracy is the idea that all people, regardless of where they live, should have access to solar and clean #energy resources. One solar designer from the Netherlands, Marjan Van Aubel, feels particularly strongly about this philosophy. In her latest #Tedx Amsterdam Talk, Van Aubel details her desire to revamp the way we view solar energy and why her solar designs are helping the world to do just that. 

Right from the very beginning of her Tedx Talk back in December of 2018, Van Aubel introduces herself with humor and confidence, explaining that she works in a triad of #solar design, focusing on sustainability, technology, and overall design. In addition to sustainability and the overall technical design of #solar panels, Van Aubel remarked how important efficiency is in her work and in solar design. 

During her speech, she drove home the point that the sun provides enough energy in one hour to provide the earth with one entire year of electricity. Her statistic is cited from the book ‘Solar Revolution;’ a resource that not only sparked inspiration, but action on her part in the solar community. With how much solar energy costs have dropped in recent years, her aim has been to continue to find ways to drive down solar prices and integrate solar energy resources into everyday life.  

Changing How We View Solar Energy 

Despite the increases in efficiency to solar panels and the simultaneous price drop of solar energy over the last several decades, the look of solar panels has remained the same. Right from the start of her speech, Van Aubel poses the question, “why do solar panels always have to be so ugly?”  

Solar panels have looked the same for the last 60 years and are just now receiving a much-needed makeover, thanks to designers like Van Aubel. In her effort to change the world through design, Aubel has collaborated with several other engineers and agencies to help revolutionize solar panels as we have known them for decades. 

The first agency Van Aubel has collaborated with is Swarovski, the world-renowned crystal company. For several years now, researchers have been experimenting with crystals to help enhance #solar panel efficiency. If the crystals are placed in a certain way, they can bend and refocus sunlight onto solar panels. What Van Aubel has done is take advantage of this mechanism for one of her solar chandelier designs. These particular lights are powered through solar crystal technology and help to bring light produced by solar energy directly indoors. 

Practical and Beautiful Solar Designs 

In addition to her solar chandeliers, Van Aubel has also created ‘Current Table’, a table powered by a particular set of solar cells called dye-sensitized solar cells. These cells run on a process similar to that of photosynthesis, using color to make solar panels more efficient. Her Current Table comes fully equipped with light sensors that are able to gauge how much sunlight the table is receiving. True to her statements about efficiency, Van Aubel has also ensured that her solar table is outfitted with USB ports in the legs of the table so individuals can charge their smartphones and other devices. 

Another design that Van Aubel showcased during her Tedx speech was her Current Window. A modern take on stained glass, the Current Window is built with colored solar panels that, much like the Current Table, use color properties to increase solar efficiency. The Current Window also has USB ports built right into it on the window’s ledge.  

Integrating Solar Right Where it is Needed 

By bringing solar energy directly into people’s homes through window and table designs, Van Aubel is truly revolutionizing the solar energy world. Accessibility has been an important and debated topic in the solar energy community, especially in regard to the impracticality of rooftop solar panels in certain locations. Van Aubel and her designs may just offer a small glimpse into the future of solar energy, in addition to hope for those who have yet to buy into rooftop solar panels or other devices currently on the market. Bringing solar energy to everyone, everywhere may just be more realistic now, thanks to the innovative and impressive work being seen from Van Aubel and other designers in the solar community who are just as passionate. 

Resources: 

https://www.engineering.com/DesignerEdge/DesignerEdgeArticles/ArticleID/18822/Dutch-Designer-Presents-the-Future-of-Solar-Energy.aspx 

https://www.ted.com/talks/marjan_van_aubel_the_beautiful_future_of_solar_power?language=en 

Students Making Solar Strides at East Tennessee State University

Early in April, #East Tennessee State University is going to unveil their newest endeavor – on top of the Charles C. #Sherrod Library will sit an array of brand new #solar panels. So far on the campus, there are two huge #solar arrays – one is on the Basler Center for Physical Activity, and according to #Kathleen Moore, Director of Sustainability, the solar panels have been there for five years. Now there is also one on the Charles Sherrod Library.  

The Campus Sustainability Fee Committee and the Student Government Association of East Tennessee State University made notable efforts to ensure the new solar panels would go up. The Campus Sustainability Fee Committee asks staff, faculty, and students to plan #energy sustainability projects financed through students.  

 A Solar Push from Students 

The solar panel project cost approximately $140,000, according to Kathleen Moore. It’s really the students who have been pushing for more solar panels, too, as there isn’t a formal policy in terms of the administration to have more panels set up. Students pay fees each semester toward the campus sustainability fee, which goes toward funding sustainability projects. This is what has funded the new solar panels on top of the library.  

It is Moore’s hope that the campus will continue to stay active when it comes to energy sustainability in the near future. The campus will be able to not only install even more solar panels, but there will be the ability to determine the amount of money being saved because of using solar panels and therefore lowering energy usage overall.  

Moore discussed the desire to install electrical meters to offer building-level metering throughout the campus at different buildings. There is also a desire to drop the electrical load. Clearly, the campus community is prioritizing clean energy usage, and part of this entails going solar.  

Benefits to Going Solar on Campus 

There are quite a few benefits to going solar. In addition to the environmental benefits, Moore discussed how money would be saved via energy efficiency on campus because more money could go toward capital projects and academic programs. Basically, using solar energy is a win-win for everyone involved. Clearly, when money isn’t being allocated toward one aspect or project on campus, it can be used elsewhere.  

According to Moore, even with the solar panels on top of the library, there is still a need for the campus community to prioritize promoting sustainable energy practices. This is something everyone can participate in. Eliminating certain behaviors, such as leaving lights on all the time when they are not needed, and leaving computers and chargers plugged in all the time, will be beneficial in lowering energy usage as a whole.  

Students at East Tennessee State University clearly care about going solar and they care about how energy is produced and utilized on campus. It is great to see them act as part of the solution.  

Moore applauded the students for making the decision to allocate money toward these solar projects. In terms of climate change, she said they know what they are inheriting and they want to do their part.  

By the end of 2019, East Tennessee State University is going to know how much money the solar panels have saved regarding Sherrod Library’s energy expense, as per Moore.  

Other Solar Efforts at #ETSU 

The solar panels are not the first clean energy endeavor by students on campus – an iBucs competition will take place in April – this is a student competition aimed to provide funding to the best ideas presented to a board of judges. A graduate student who took first place in the competition last year, Darack Nanto, continues working on a prototype for his Eco Smart Can. This utilizes Internet of Things technology powered by solar energy to manage and compact trash and send notifications when it is time for the trash to be emptied.  

The time to go solar is now. Continue to stay on top of solar news to learn about the latest developments. It is great to see forward-thinking students making a difference and the hope is that more of this will be seen in the future!  

Sources: 

https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Environment/2019/03/21/ETSU-looks-to-solar-energy 

https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Education/2019/03/15/ETSU-student-entrepreneurs-urged-to-enter-iBucs-competition 

 

Tesla to Focus on Rooftop Solar Panel Production in 2019

On March 14th, 2019 at the #Tesla Design Studio in California during the unveiling of Tesla’s Model-Y compact SUV, founder #Elon Musk announced a new focus for his company in the coming year. Musk declared that he and his associates at Tesla are now allocating funding and manpower towards producing #rooftop solar panels. Now that the drama surrounding their Tesla Model 3 has subsided, for the most part, Musk is anxious to move onto working towards creating and producing rooftop #solar panels that also serve as #solar storage units. 

Coming Back from Near Bankruptcy 

Since 2017, solar #energy has been placed on the back burner for Tesla due to a litany of manufacturing and production problems associated with Tesla’s Model 3 vehicle design. The Tesla Model 3 was originally produced in order to appeal to a mass market of consumers compared to their more expensive models. The Model 3 had the lowest starting point of any vehicle model in Tesla’s history, with a market price of just $35,000.  

However, it was not long before Musk realized that this plan was not just overly ambitious, but would also cause major problems for Tesla in terms of production and manufacturing. Just a month after Tesla announced the release of the Model 3 back in August of 2017, the company had a backlog of nearly 455,000 requests for the Model 3. Musk cited “excessive automation,” as a major cause in the delay in production.  

Of course, with threats of bankruptcy looming, much of the focus for Musk and Tesla was placed on fixing issues surrounding this particular vehicle. Now that the storm has passed, solar energy is next up on Tesla’s list of innovations. 

Elon’s Solar Rooftop Panels 

Although rooftop solar panels have been around for years, Musk has declared that 2019, “is definitely going to be the year of the Solar Roof and Powerwall.” While at the Tesla Design Studio unveiling of the Model-Y SUV, Musk touched on the importance of solar energy and transitioning to resources that are both renewable and sustainable for future generations. Tesla is planning to make a special type of solar rooftop panel that will combine both solar panels and battery storage, allowing homeowners to utilize clean energy immediately, but also store solar energy for later use. Tesla is currently working on gaining federal solar tax credits in order to begin production on the solar panels as soon as possible. The company plans to mass produce the solar panels by early next year. 

Early Adopters of the Tesla’s Rooftop Solar Panels 

In April of 2018, California resident Amanda Tobler elected to have a Tesla Solar Roof installed on her home. She was one of the first residents to try out the solar panels. In an interview with Inverse last year, Tobler stated several important things she had learned since she first had the solar panels installed.  

One major difference in the Tesla solar panels compared to traditional solar panels is the material in which they are made of. Although Tesla’s solar panels look nearly identical to traditional models, they are extremely strong. In fact, the solar panels are so strong that one could walk on them without breaking them. 

Tesla’s solar panels also come with a power wall that can be used to charge electronic vehicles and provide additional power to one’s home. The power wall sits on the side of one’s house and homeowners have the option to add additional power walls, if necessary, for even more solar power usage. 

With residents like Tobler utilizing the Tesla solar panels in real time, Musk and his team can gather data from these early adopters and use it to influence the final production of their solar panels. When Tesla does eventually release their solar panels for purchase by the general public, it will be interesting to see the outcome of their solar energy research and how their panels will ultimately compare to regular models. There has been some skepticism surrounding Musk and Tesla’s plans to revamp rooftop solar panels as we know them, but at the very least, we can expect to hear more from Tesla and their plans for the solar energy realm soon. 

Resources: 

https://www.inverse.com/article/51201-tesla-model-3-elon-musk-says-company-faced-severe-threat-of-death 

https://www.inverse.com/article/44778-tesla-solar-roof-8-things-to-know 

https://www.inverse.com/article/54085-tesla-solar-roof-elon-musk-declares-2019-will-be-the-year-of-the-roof 

Solar Powered-Pot: Clean Energy Popularity Reaches All-Time High

Since marijuana is not legal federally, #Canndescent (the luxury #cannabis company) has had difficulty obtaining the financing needed to utilize #solar on its growing facility, which is 11,000 square feet. But recently, out in Desert Hot Springs, CA, this forward-thinking company installed the first on-site solar system to power a comprehensive cannabis growing operation in America. We are talking about a 282.6 kilowatt solar system. This system is capable of generating enough #energy to power roughly half of its growing operation.

Solar Changes: Time for the Green Industry to Literally “Go Green”

In terms of clean energy, the cannabis industry is making a much-needed effort. More than 1 percent of America’s energy supply is eaten up on a yearly basis because of the (legal) indoor marijuana growing industry. It releases more than 15 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and if you aren’t sure exactly what this number means, consider this: it’s equal to the amount emitted by roughly 3 million cars.

The problem is that things are tricky legally. Yes, marijuana is legal in some places (10 states in America, to be precise) while medical marijuana is legal in 33 states. Here’s the problem regarding solar power – marijuana is still thought of as an illegal substance federally. #Tom DiGiovanni, chief financial officer for Canndescent, says that for this reason it is difficult for cannabis operations to take advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit or low-interest loans.

Reasons to Go Solar

DiGiovanni discussed how since the beginning, back in 2016 when an 11,000 square foot growing facility was opened by Canndescent, the company has wanted to lessen its carbon footprint. Solar power certainly is feasible logistically, seeing as how the company is based in sunny California and the property has a very expansive layout. Really, why not go solar?

DiGiovanni actually worked previously in the solar industry in California. Nonetheless, the difficulty finding financing regarding solar for a cannabis project was not anticipated.

There are smaller growing operations that have been able to take advantage of renewable energy, such as solar. Sense is one of those companies. It runs on 100 percent renewable energy thanks to a local utility program that buys solar and wind. Unfortunately, it’s a different path for a large-scale growing operation, like Canndescent, to set up its own energy supply.

How Did Canndescent Go Solar?

In order to go solar, Canndescent had to think outside the box. The company was able to obtain a loan as a property owner, rather than as a cannabis company, in order to fund the solar project. The lender doesn’t view the loan as going to a company that grows cannabis; instead, they see it as an investment “against the dirt” according to DiGiovanni.

Palomar Solar, an installation company, worked with Canndescent to design the solar system. Taking the high road wasn’t exactly easy, as fire codes prevented the installation of solar panels on Canndescent’s growing facility’s rooftops. The company got creative, and built parking shelters to hold 734 solar panels. These solar panels provide more than 500,000 kilowatt hours of energy on an annual basis. Another benefit is that the #solar panel structures help to keep cars cool.

While it was not easy to get the financing worked out for this solar endeavor, it has been worthwhile. If cannabis becomes legal at a federal level, other growers won’t face the same challenges. Why? Because they would have the ability to obtain low-interest loans and tax credits. DiGiovanni predicts that it could be another few years before marijuana is legalized federally. Once that does happen, though, bank financing will be a whole lot easier, which would allow similar companies to get easier access to financing for solar.

According to DiGiovanni, Canndescent is certainly not the only cannabis company trying to lessen their carbon footprint and go solar. Keep following solar news to stay in the know – it’s high time for companies and individuals alike to go solar.

Sources:

https://www.fastcompany.com/90317128/the-restrictions-on-the-cannabis-industry-make-it-difficult-to-be-sustainable

https://mgretailer.com/press-releases/canndescent-completes-the-worlds-first-commercial-scale-solar-project-in-cannabis/

 

 

Australia Has Mega-Solar Plans

#Australia is on a roll when it comes to #solar power. The plan is to add the equivalent of one mega solar project each month, with the present installed base of 10 gigawatts expected to double by the end of next year. If you think this is impressive, keep reading!

As per #Array Technologies, the most recent large-scale solar project to pop up is the Darlington Point Solar Farm – a 333 megawatt project which will be located in Griffith, New South Wales. The sixth biggest country on the planet is making some remarkable moves.

A Solar Surge in Australia

Solar power is becoming a household name across the globe. But in Australia, this form of clean #energy truly took off in 2018, when 1.5 gigawatt of solar came online. This is substantial because it is 10 times the amount that came online the previous year.

Where can you find the most Australian solar growth in generation capacity? The utility segment. Regardless, industrial, commercial and residential solar installations are all continuing to develop rapidly, as per Australian PV Institute. Currently, Australia has more than 10.1 GW of solar installed. This amount is about to meet more than 5 percent of its energy demand, and can deliver more than 14.5 terawatt-hours of electricity on a yearly basis.

Solar Trackers

Solar trackers are seeing global demand increase quickly in places such as Australia. The government demonstrates its support for utility-scale solar through the Solar Flagships Program, which costs a substantial amount – $1.5 billion. This is part of the Clean Energy Initiative.

And have you heard of solar + storage? This is another driving factor in the solar market of Australia. It is a technology combo which assists utilities and allows them to avoid expanding certain components of their assets. There are certainly improvements being made and ground-breaking changes worth exploring.

Renewable Energy Growth

Because of corporate property developers, the commercial solar segment is seeing growth. Goodman, Vicinity and Dexus are some of the property giants leading the charge. Another segment seeing rapid growth (as previously mentioned) happens to be residential solar installations. In Australia, there have been 1.95 million installations, in accordance with calculations by #APVI.

Let’s dive into this a bit more. Consistent with #SolarPlaza, households with solar rooftops peaked at 2 million last year – #Queensland tops the list for the leader in national installations.

Executive vice president of global sales at Array, #Jeff Krantz, commented on colossal projects necessitating the least levelized cost of energy to compete economically.

Let’s go back to the 333 megawatt project mentioned previously. Homeowners are clearly excited about this mission – the Darlington Point project, which is a combined undertaking between Octopus Investments and Australian renewable energy developer #Edify Energy. Why? It is going to supply power to more than 115,000 Australian homes each year. These companies are committed when it comes to clean energy, and the numbers speak for themselves. More than $450 million has been arranged by them to finance the #solar farm.

Chief executive of Edify Energy, #John Cole, made a statement regarding why Array Technologies was chosen to provide solar trackers to the Darlington Point Solar Farm. The reason is because Array Technologies is able to provide a ground-breaking tracking solution, that through “engineered simplicity,” lessens long-standing upkeep to provide the lowest levelized cost of energy for projects.

Array is confident in its abilities regarding solar. It has truly established itself as the preferred solar tracker company in Australia. To date, it has supplied more than 1.5 GW of technology to solar farms in the country.

#Signal Energy Australia, a subsidiary of Signal Energy LLC, has headquarters in Sydney New South Wales. According to their website, they are an all-inclusive design/build contractor providing Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) solutions for utility-scale clean energy ventures.

But the biggest non-utility investor in onshore renewables in the UK is #Octopus Investments Australia. This company is the principal commercial solar competitor in Europe. The numbers are quite impressive – they boast a $4.5 billion (AUD) collection of clean energy assets, adding together to 2 GW.

Clearly, there is a great deal happening in Australia as it relates to solar power. It is worth following solar news to stay on top of the latest projects, as they are rather remarkable. It will be interesting to see what happens in the near future!

Sources:

https://cleantechnica.com/2019/03/10/australia-adding-one-mega-solar-project-per-month/

https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2019/03/11/array-technologies-to-supply-333-mw-darlington-point-solar-farm/

 

 

Space-Based Solar Power Next Up on China’s Cosmic To-Do List

The #solar #energy community is, once again, taking a giant leap forward. Solar energy researchers have been utilizing water, land, and air to fuel renewable energy processes for years, and now, the race is on to build solar energy satellites in space. China, in particular, is at the forefront of bringing the idea of creating solar energy satellites into full fruition, at least in this century. The nation’s ambitious plan calls for the launch of a series of small solar power satellite stations into the Earth’s stratosphere between 2021 and 2025. By 2030, the solar power stations will be upgraded to megawatt-level facilities and gigawatt-level capacity by 2050. 

Space-based solar energy is a brilliant, but a highly speculated idea. The brilliance is that sunlight exists in space 24-hours a day, making it the optimal environment to harness solar energy from the sun. The problem, however, is getting the solar energy collected back to Earth in a useable form. China is proposing that the solar energy be converted into electricity right in space prior to being beamed back via laser or microwave frequencies into a receiving system. 

Revisiting a Decades Old Idea 

Believe it or not, solar energy in space is not a new idea. In fact, space-based solar power (SBSP) was first introduced by a science fiction writer by the name of Isaac Asimov. In 1941, he published a science fiction story titled, ‘Reason.’ the novel depicts a space station that is able to collect and solar energy and transmit it to other plants in the solar system through the use of microwave beams. The concept of space-based solar power as we know it today, however, was not introduced until 1968. Then, in 1973 a U.S. patent allowed researchers at Arthur D. Little, Inc in Boston to test how to transmit power over long distances, such as from a satellite solar-power system (SSPS) in space, back to Earth’s surface. Peter Glaser, the vice president of Arthur D. Little, Inc at the time, then expanded his research to include NASA and four additional companies to participate in a broader, investigative study into the transmission of energy through space-based solar power. 

The United States Department of Energy teamed up with Arthur D. Little, Inc and NASA to further investigate the concept of space-based solar power from 1978 to 1986. With approval from Congress and a budget of $50 million, the DoE and NASA named the study the Satellite Power System and Concept Development and Evaluation Program. The primary purpose was to test the engineering capabilities and general feasibility of space-based solar energy.  

After the program was discontinued, NASA revamped its interest in 1997 in order to assess what had changed from the initial DoE space-based solar energy study. Concerns over the costs of a space solar energy program were debated by NASA officials, with some experts stating that certain investments would drive down space-based solar costs, while others like Dr. Pete Worden claimed that any solutions proposed at the time being unfeasible, highly expensive, and decades away. 

The Challenges of Space-Based Solar Power 

Over two decades since Dr. Worden first voiced his speculations, China is taking the lead in the solar community and getting serious of space-based solar energy. The task at hand, however, will present numerous, seemingly insurmountable challenges. Primarily, the weight of the solar stations themselves. It is predicted that each power station could weigh as much as 1,000 tons. Due to the predicted weight of the stations, initially getting them into orbit will be difficult. One solution has been to use 3D printing, where possible, to construct the solar-based power stations. Additionally, the effects of the microwave radiation that will be beamed back to Earth will need to be studied.  

Even though obtaining and utilizing solar energy from space may present some of the greatest challenges that solar energy researchers have faced, keep in mind that it has been less than 80 years since Asimov first proposed the idea of space-based solar power. Throughout every decade since, there has been notably and historical progression in our technological advancements. It is not in the slightest bit outlandish to believe that someday very soon, solar satellites will be able to provide clean and sustainable energy for our entire planet. 

Resources:

https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/18/china-solar-farm-power-station-space-2025/ 

https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/solar-farms-space-could-be-renewable-energy-s-next-frontier-ncna967451 

Solar Panels – Money Crop for Farmers

#Randy DeBaillie, 50, farms 6,500 acres of land with his cousin and brother. They grow crops such as soybeans and corn, and have the goal of adding more #solar panels on 15 acres of land. They want to sell this #energy. DeBaillie pointed out that even on a foggy day, his #solar panels are still able to generate electricity.

According to DeBaillie, earnings from the additional solar panels would be approximately three times what a typical harvest yields. Many are making the decision in Illinois to host acres filled with solar panels. It’s a move state law is behind, because the goal is to have a quarter of Illinois’ power provided by renewable sources (such as solar power) by the year 2025.

Concerns Regarding this #Clean Energy Shift

The shift to using solar panels is debatable, for reasons beyond how it might impact the pastoral landscape. There are concerns over an otherwise booming population, too. But if you ask farmers, they will talk to you about indeterminate economics and the need for the income. Costs in 2018 for some of the most prominent crops in Illinois were less than original forecasts. Soybean costs dropped substantially as a result of the trade war between China and the Trump administration. Of course, climate change is another factor leading farmers to take advantage of acreage for solar panels.

In accordance with the federal government’s Fourth National Climate Assessment, humidity increasing and higher temperatures are leading to problems such as more pests on farms. Farmers believe that solar panels could benefit the planet as well as retirement accounts, and help with climate change. They could, essentially, be the change we need to help farmers.

There are different solar panel projects available. One is quite small in size and is designed for small businesses or residential properties. The solar panels are placed on rooftops. Then there are the solar projects that are medium in size – community solar. These require placing solar panels over approximately 15 acres of land. A project of this scale can power roughly 2,000 homes. The biggest size is able to cover up to thousands of acres. It’s almost like a personal power plant.

Due to unanticipated popularity, Illinois is actually going to host a lottery to decide who will be able to obtain contracts to sell solar to big power companies. The expectation is that roughly 1,000 applications are going to be received.

In accordance with Illinois Power Agency officials, as more solar projects go online, production is going to increase from 80 to 100 megawatts.

In order to meet the state’s 2025 goal, Illinois Solar Energy Association believes that new installations are going to need to be built to produce an extra 10,000 megawatts of energy capacity.

As mentioned, an obvious concern is that too much space will be taken up by the solar panels, impacting the landscape. So, people like #Mark Raeder (head of Midwest development for Summit Ridge Energy), have commented on the push for solar panels to be placed on less-productive acreage to avoid impacting farming operations. For every problem, there seems to be a solution.

A Clear Dedication

Randy DeBaillie’s great-grandfather came, during World War I, to Illinois from Belgium, and four generations of his family has worked on the land. He personally installed the sheds that act as the company’s headquarters. He has put a lot of time and effort into this land, and does so with solar panels, too. When they are covered in snow, he clears them off, so they can continue to properly function.

Newer Projects on the Horizon

The state of Illinois’ flagship university, the #University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, built its first 20-acre solar #farm just a few years ago in 2015 to lessen its dependency on fossil fuels. A new project, which will cover 55 acres, could be finished as early as 2020. There is an obvious urgency to move forward with regard to clean energy usage.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a focus on building solar panels on less-productive fields. Professors are looking into ways to grow high-value crops around the solar panels in an effort to keep land in production.

Solar panels are becoming a “money” crop for farmers, and there are many reasons for this. Keep reading solar news to learn how renewable energy is being used in the area you live. There are many great things to come, even though there are still hurdles to work through. Solar is on a roll!

 Sources:

https://www.roanoke.com/washingtonpost/business/next-money-crop-for-farmers-solar-panels/article_0c8e8e19-93b4-5860-beda-095868db2f87.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/the-next-money-crop-for-farmers-solar-panels/2019/02/22/2cf99e8c-3601-11e9-854a-7a14d7fec96a_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.799bced95c0d

 

Egypt Has Competitive Position in the Global Solar Energy Industry

Egypt has been looked to as a hot spot for #solar #energy production over the last decade due to its abundance of land space, high winds, and sunlight. The overall climate in Egypt makes it a prime location for solar, wind, and renewable energy production and growth. In recent years, more solidified plans of action to bring solar energy to the country have been laid out. According to the latest data, Egypt is aiming to provide at least 20 percent of generated electricity in the area through solar or renewable energy by the year 2022. The breakdown for this goal will have wind energy comprising 12 percent of the renewable energy sources, with hydropower at just under 6 percent and solar power at 2.2 percent.  

What Experts are Saying 

Policy analyst for Bloomberg in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Katherine Poseidon, told Daily News Egypt that Egypt undoubtedly has one of the, “strongest markets in the Middle East,” for solar and renewable energy production. At the annual Solar and Wind Show in Cairo in February of this year, Poseidon noted the introduction of a new, fixed tariff model in Egypt’s solar energy sector will allow more developers to become involved in the market, but also increase competition in the area among investors. Ultimately, the feed-in tariff model aims to bring down the cost for solar energy investors and those involved in the initial markets. 

In the annual report produced by Bloomberg to determine which global environments have the greatest opportunity for solar energy production, Egypt’s score went up considerably in 2019, making the coveted region even more competitive in the solar energy sector. The country is now on the fast track towards becoming a “regional energy hub” that will compete with other solar energy producers and markets in the region. The race to the top of the solar energy market in the Middle East will not be free of challenges, however. 

 Board member of the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA), Gurmeet Kuar, noted that the biggest challenge when it comes to solar and renewable energy production in Egypt will be how to supply consumers with energy supplies at night when there is an absence of sun. Solar energy storage for this specific concern has been heavily investigated by solar energy researchers worldwide. Finding proper means of storing solar energy will need to be one of the top priorities for those in the solar energy sector in Egypt. Kuar stated that taking advantage of the omittance of traditional electricity subsidies in the Middle East, along with their focus on smaller projects, such as rooftop solar panels, will help the country remain competitive. She also told Daily News Egypt that her hope is that, in time, licenses and permits will be less of a hassle for solar energy developers to obtain in the region. Ultimately, a mix of both renewable and solar energy resources, as well as traditional fossil fuels, is the most realistic goal for now. 

Wind and Solar Energy in Egypt 

Wind energy will play a huge role in Egypt’s renewable energy future. The focus is primarily on wind energy due to the consistent and powerful winds in the area. Since 2001, countries like Germany, Denmark, Japan, and Spain have established solar wind farms in Egypt, resulting in a massive increase in renewable imports in the last decade, particularly by 2013 when a Spanish project was constructed in Jebel El Ziet.  

Egypt is considered to be a “sun belt” country, according to Egypt’s Solar Atlas. Its global position makes it an ideal location for both wind and solar energy production. Egypt’s first solar energy plant was built in 2011 in Kuraymat, with several more being built in the years that followed. Currently, there is talk of implementing solar and wind energy plants near both the West and East Nile areas. It is projected that as much as 52,300 MW of solar energy and 31,150 MW of wind energy could be generated from these regions. 

Resources 

https://dailynewsegypt.com/2019/03/02/egypt-on-right-track-toward-renewable-energy-yet-it-needs-to-exert-more-effort-experts-2/ 

https://www.export.gov/article?id=Egypt-Renewable-Energy