Limitations on solar energy as a primary power source?

As we search for viable renewable energy sources in recognition of the finite, polluting and and politically-fraught aspects of fossil fuels, the question remains.  Can we consider solar power as a primary energy source?

We’ve reviewed the disadvantages of solar energy (along with its many benefits), in order to consider the pros and cons for this alternative power resource.  Of course, among a number of issues to be considered include the fact that solar is expensive and not particularly efficient, overall…. yet!

The solar power debate will continue to rage on.  Yet, the abundance of free solar power cannot be overlooked.  New solar technology developments are announced on a regular basis.  Efficiencies are increased and prices continue to fall.  Certainly we should be able to find a way to harness this endless energy source, especially considering facts like these:

In full sun, you can safely assume about 100 watts of solar energy per square foot. If you assume 12 hours of sun per day, this equates to 438,000 watt-hours per square foot per year. Based on 27,878,400 square feet per square mile, sunlight bestows a whopping 12.2 trillion watt-hours per square mile per year.

How far can we take PV power?

Its high time for us to elevate solar power as a truly significant power source, which can finally get us away from talking about the myth of “clean coal,” or ignoring the fact that oil exploration and drilling is harming the environment in ways that cannot be sustained.

But why solar power, instead of the alternatives?

In part, the answer is found in the very diversity of the renewable energy resource.  From solar hot water to solar electricity, you can shower, cook food, warm your home and more.  Particularly in developing nations, reliance on solar power just makes sense!

Solar power as a primary energy resource is a proposal that is still under consideration.  Yet, we can warmly witness its blooming across desert southwest regions in the U.S., and even in less sunny climes worldwide.

Do we really need to sit in judgment over whether solar power is the way to go for renewable energy?  Perhaps we should just wait and watch things unfold?  Weighing solar against wind, biomass, nuclear and more is one task.  Considering the resource against oil and natural gas is practically a no-brainer.

Prism Holographic Solar Panel

Quick!  When you think of solar panels, what are the major drawbacks that come to mind?  Cost, efficiency, and bulk top the list.

Companies like Prism Solar Technologies are working to address the disadvantages of solar energy through technological advances.

Prism solar panels are a hybrid between silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells and specially-designed thin-film solar strips – Prism’s patented Holographic Planar Concentrator (HPC).

The HPC strips focus direct, diffused and reflected light onto the PV strips, which substantially increases the amount of light that strikes the solar cells.  Of course, more light means more solar electricity that can be generated.  And, thin-film strips are less expensive than silicon.  So much so that manufacturing costs are approximately $1 per watt.

Here’s a video that explains the process:

Prism Solar claims that the benefits of HPC technology include:

• Low material costs resulting from use of less silicon and cheap holographic strips
• More efficient cell packing
• Narrow strings of PV cells result in better electrical flow, increasing conversion efficiency
• Warranted at a minimum 80% power after 25 years
• Panels operate at a lower temperature because unusable light can pass through, rather than being lost as heat in the cell
• Ability to collect light from back and front of panel
• Holographic thin-films collect light from a variety of incident angles, increasing productivity throughout the day (known as “passive tracking”)
• 50-72% less silicon provides an efficient, yet low-cost solar panel

Prism Holographic Thin Film Solar

In short, the holographic thin-film/PV hybrid solar panels developed by Prism may be key to solar powering northern regions of the globe.  These solar cells can capture low-angled incident light in the morning and evening, plus reflected light at all times, greatly increasing their efficiency, no matter how indirect the sunlight may be.

Add in the fact that the holographic solar panels can be produced at relatively low-cost, and Prism could be on the verge of significantly changing the solar market with its product.