Name:GURUNG RANJU
IES TOPIC:IS SOLAR ENERGY ISUITABLE FOR HONG KONG.
Introduction:
Solar Energy
Solar energy is radiant energy that is produced by the sun. Every day
the sun radiates, or sends out, an enormous amount of energy. Sunlight
is an energy source that is by far the most abundant of those available
on the planet. On average, the earth's surface receives about 1.2 x
1017W of solar power. Most of the other renewable energy also depends
on the sun as the primary source. Throughout human history,
non-concentrated solar irradiation has been used to produce daylight,
heat and to grow food. The energy contained in fossil fuels - coal, oil
and natural gas - originate from the sun's energy.
Utilization of solar energy
Solar energy utilization refers primarily to the use of solar radiation
for practical ends. However, all renewable energies, other than
geothermal and tidal, derive their energy from the sun. Today, people
can use solar energy to heat buildings and water and to generate
electricity. Solar powered electrical generation relies on photovoltaic’s
and heat engines. A partial list of other solar applications includes
space heating and cooling through solar architecture, day lighting, and
solar hot water, solar cooking, and high temperature process heat for
industrial purposes.
Background: The solar and weather data provide an important
background for assessing the solar potential and the characteristics of
energy use in buildings. Table 1 shows the solar conditions in Hong
Kong (HKO, 1999). The annual mean daily global solar radiation is
14.46 MJ/m2. Compared with a figure of around 9 MJ/m2 in London,
this is not bad at all. If we look at the cloud amount and percentage of
sunshine, the data indicates that cloudiness in some months may
affect directional solar radiation: Honk Kong is a rise and high density
city with a subtropical climate. In the mid-1999, it has a population of
6.84 million and as area only 1,097 square kilometer. It doesn’t have
any indigenous fossil resources, including oil, natural gases for energy
generation. Large hydropower, traditional biomass and geothermal
are not feasible in honk Kongbecause of the local condition and
resources. Only a few projects in honk Kong have now extensively
adopted some forms of renewable energy, such as solar water heating.
Renewable energy is becoming important the Honk Kong. Unlike fossil
fuel such as coal and oil. Solar and wind energy, in particularly, hold
much promise in Honk Kong. But the absolutes value of all renewable
sources energy is that we can use them, and then use them again.
Another important advantage is that they don’t emit greenhouse
gases or atmosphere pollutants. If we use more renewable energy we
can clean up our environment and help ourselves.
Methods
QUESTIONAIRE
10 PEOPLE IN HK
3 QUESTIONINTERVIEW AT SHA TIN AND TIN SHUI WAI
Date
Analysis:
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 1. Solar energy is renewable. We never have to worry about
running out of sunlight or using it all up.
2. Solar energy is environmentally friendly. Compared to fossil
fuels which release greenhouses gases, carcinogens and carbon
dioxide, solar cells don't release anything into the air.
3. Solar panels are extremely reliable. There are no moving parts
so you don't have to worry about replacing anything.
4. Solar cells make no noise while collecting energy. There are no
other renewable energy sources that are completely silent.
5. In the long run, solar electricity is cheaper than buying it from
the power company. Once you break even, everything after that is
profit. Compare this to paying a monthly bill and getting no
return on investment.
 Alternate solar energy
As fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources and will run out
eventually, many countries are exploring the use of alternative
energy sources, especially those that are renewable, i.e. exist
perpetually and in abundant quantity in the environment.
In addition, most of these alternative energy sources are
very environmentally friendly. In Hong Kong, solar power and
wind power are more commonly mentioned as the
alternatives to burning fossil fuels.
 Solar power
To use solar power, solar photovoltaic technology can be used.
Photovoltaic cells made from semi-conducting materials
such as silicon can produce electricity when they are exposed
to sunlight.
This technology is currently being applied in Hong Kong to
provide power to weather monitoring equipment, as well as
lighting and heating systems in many government facilities.
References:
http://wiki.fool.com/Solar_energy
http://green.wikia.com/wiki/Solar_energy
http://www.unusualbookmarklets.com/solar-energy-wikipedia-thefree-%20encyclopedia.htm
Solar Energy Advantages
Saves you money
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After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the
sun is practically FREE.
The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short
depending on how much electricity your household uses.
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It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all.
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Solar energy does not require any fuel.
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It's not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore
not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
The use of solar energy indirectly reduces health costs.
Environmentally friendly
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Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and
sustainable, helping to protect our environment.
It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen
oxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of
electrical generation does.
Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global warming, acid
rain or smog.
It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas
emissions.
It's generated where it is needed.
By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost
and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or the
storage of radioactive waste.
Independent/ semi-independent
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Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy
consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity bill, but will
also continue to supply your home/ business with electricity in
the event of a power outage.
A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independently, not
requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can
therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log
cabins), making it more practical and cost-effective than the
supply of utility electricity to a new site.
The use of Solar Energy reduces our dependence on foreign
and/or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural
disasters or international events and so contributes to a
sustainable future.
Solar Energy supports local job and wealth creation, fuelling
local economies.
Low/ no maintenance
 Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last
for decades.
 Once installed, there are no recurring costs.
 They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release
offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel.
 More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your
family's needs grow.
Solar Energy Disadvantages
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The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy
system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting
materials used in building one.
The cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable
utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming more
common, solar energy is becoming more price-competitive.
Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a
good level of efficiency.
The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun,
although this problem can be overcome with the installation of
certain components.
The production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of
clouds or pollution in the air.
Green house used in Honk Kong
The greenhouse gases
This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. In the
Earth's atmosphere, the primary greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide,
methane, and nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. When sunlight
strikes the Earth's surface, some reflected as infrared radiation (heat).
Greenhouse gases tend to absorb this infrared radiation as it is
reflected back towards space, trapping the heat in the atmosphere.
Studies show that the GHG emissions due to human activities have
grown since pre-industrial times, with an increase of 70% between
1970 and 2004.
Global GHG Emission
GHG Emission in Hong Kong by Sector in 2008
Some greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, while others
are generated as a result of human activities. The following briefly
describes the major GHG.
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Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A variety of human activities lead to the
emission of carbon dioxide. Among these, the largest sources are the
combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas for power
generation, transportation and industrial manufacturing processes.
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Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted from a variety of both
human-related and natural sources. It is estimated that about half of
global methane emissions are caused by human-related activities
which mainly include fossil fuel production, rice cultivation, biomass
(e.g. wood) burning and waste management in landfills.
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Nitrous Oxide (N2O): The increased emission of nitrous oxide in the
atmosphere is also related to human activities. The main
human-related sources of nitrous oxide are agricultural and
industrial processes, as well as combustion of fossil fuels and solid
waste.
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Fluorinated Gases: Fluorinated gases, different from other
greenhouse gases, are the only type of greenhouse gas that is totally
created and emitted by human activities. Fluorinated gases are
emitted upon production and/or usage of refrigerants, foams and
aerosols.
Conclusion:
 Solar technology is constantly improving nowadays.
Nowadays governments also provide some kind of tax credit or
incentive for people purchasing solar energy systems. I think we
should make use of solar energy in order to prevent the released
of carbon dioxide which caused global warming.
Reflections
I feel too excited while doing this project. It helps me to know more
about solar energy.