E-Weekly-2/31
Green Earth Movement
An E-Newsletter for the cause of Environment, Peace, Harmony and Justice
Remember - “you and I can decide the future”
From Darkness
to Light
SOLAR POWER
– A FREE GIFT
FROM NATURE!
What is Solar Power?
Solar power is energy from the sun, and without its presence all life
on earth would end. Solar energy has been looked upon as a serious
source of energy for many years because of the vast amounts of
energy that are made freely available, if harnessed by modern
technology.
A simple example of the power of the sun can be seen by using a
magnifying glass to focus the sun’s rays on a piece of paper. Before
long the paper ignites into flames.
Uses of Solar Energy
We have always used solar energy as far back as humans have existed
on this planet. We know today, that there are multiple uses of solar
energy. We use the solar energy every day in many different ways.
When we hang laundry outside to dry in the sun, we are using the solar
heat to do work, drying our clothes. Plants use the solar light to make
food. Animals eat plants for food. And as we learned, decaying plants
hundreds of millions of years ago produced the coal, oil and natural
gas that we use today.
METHODS TO HARNESS SOLAR ENERGY
Very often there is confusion about the various methods used to
harness solar energy.
Energy from the sun can be categorized in two ways:
METHOD 1: IN THE FORM OF HEAT (OR
THERMAL ENERGY)
METHOD 2: IN THE FORM OF LIGHT ENERGY
Light energy can be
defined as The
electromagnetic radiation
of visible light. Since light
Itself is energy, then
another definition is relevant:
light is nature’s way of transferring Energy
through space.
HOW TO COLLECT THE
ENERGY FROM THE SUN?
Solar thermal technologies uses the
solar heat energy to heat substances
(such as water or air) for applications
such as space heating, pool heating
and water heating for homes and
businesses. There are a variety of
products on the market that uses
solar thermal energy. Often the
products used for this application are
called solar thermal collectors and
can be mounted on the roof of a
building or in some other sunny
location.
CONVERTING SOLAR
ENERGY INTO
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
The solar heat can also be used
To produce electricity on a large
utility-scale by converting the
Solar Energy Into mechanical
energy. So, fossil fuels is actually
solar energy stored millions and
millions of years ago. Indirectly, the sun or other are
responsible for all our energy. Even nuclear energy comes
from a star because the uranium atoms used in nuclear
energy were created in the fury of a nova - a star exploding.
Let's look at ways in which we can use the solar energy.
USES OF SOLAR ENERGY
1. RESIDENTIAL
The number of PV installations on
Buildings connected to the electricity
grid has grown in recent years.
Government subsidy programs
(particularly in Germany and Japan)
And Green pricing policies of utilities or electricity service
providers have stimulated demand. Demand is also driven
by the desire of individuals or companies to obtain their
electricity from a clean, non-polluting, renewable source.
These consumers are usually willing to pay only a small
premium for renewable energy. Increasingly, the incentive is
an attractive financial return on the investment through the
sale of solar electricity at premium feed-in tariff rates.
2. COMMERCIAL
On an office building, roof areas can be
covered with glass PV modules, which
can be semi-transparent to provide
shaded light. On a factory or warehouse,
large roof areas are the best location for
solar modules. If the roof is flat, then arrays can be mounted using
techniques that do not breach the weatherproofed roof
membrane. Also, skylights can be partially covered with PV.
The vertical walls of office buildings provide several opportunities
for PV incorporation, as well as sunshades or balconies
incorporating a PV system. Sunshades may have the PV system
mounted externally to the building, or have PV cells specially
mounted between glass sheets comprising the window.
3. INDUSTRIAL
For many years, solar energy has been the power supply choice for industrial
applications, especially where power is required at remote locations. Because
solar systems are highly reliable and require little maintenance, they are ideal in
distant or isolated places. Solar energy is also frequently used for transportation
signaling, such as offshore navigation buoys, lighthouses, aircraft warning light
structures, and increasingly in road traffic warning signals. Solar is used to power
environmental monitoring equipment and corrosion protection systems for
pipelines, well-heads, bridges, and other structures. For larger electrical loads, it
can be cost-effective to configure a hybrid power system that links the PV with a
small diesel generator.
4. REMOTE APPLICATION
Remote buildings, such as schools,
Community halls, and clinics, can benefit
from solar energy. In developing regions,
central power plants can provide electricity
to homes via a local wired network, or act as a battery charging station
Where members of the community can bring batteries to be recharged. (e.g.
of Indian Oil Solar lantern ref. next 2 slides) PV systems can be used to pump
water in remote areas as part of a portable water supply system. Specialized
solar water pumps are designed for submersible use or to float on open
water. Large-scale desalination plants can also be PV powered using an
array of PV modules with battery storage. PV systems are sometimes best
configured with a small diesel generator in order to meet heavy power
requirements in off-grid locations. With a small diesel generator, the PV
system does not have to be sized to cope with the worst sunlight conditions
during the year. The diesel generator can provide back-up power that is
minimized during the sunniest part of the year by the PV system. This keeps
fuel and maintenance costs low.
Solar
Lanterns
from
Indian Oil
Made for poor,
adored by rich…….a
viable solar power
generation for India
Solar Charging Station (SCS)
Customers pay rent for lantern & a fee for charging
lantern on a daily/monthly basis
►Every evening, customers bring the discharged
lantern and take a
charged lantern with
them
► Alternatively, the
charging station owner
arranges for delivery &
collection of lanterns
Solar power use:
Top 10 countries
Modern times. With pollution breathing
Heavy on the present civilisation, it just
cannot do without wind and solar energy. Countries across the world
have geared up to develop alternative energy sources for better
living. India is densely populated and has high solar insolation, an
ideal combination for using solar power. However, on the world map,
India lags far behind other countries as far as generation of solar
power is concerned, although the country has made significant
progress in wind energy generation. In July 2009, India unveiled a
$19-billion plan to produce 20 GW of solar power by 2020. Under the
plan, the use of solar-powered equipment and applications would be
made compulsory in all government buildings, as well as hospitals
and hotels.
Let us take a look at the top 10 countries using solar power:
1. Germany
Total use: 10,000 megawatts
Germany is the world leader in solar energy. Germany
is expected to stay the top buyer of solar panels
through 2011. Germany has a goal of 100 per cent
renewable energy by 2050. In 2009 alone, Germany
installed 3,806 megawatts of photovoltaics solar energy
capacity, which is more than Spain's total capacity and almost eight times
more than what the US installed recently.
2. Spain
Total use: 3,500 MW
Spain was the world leader in newly installed PV solar energy (2,605 MW) in
2008 but its new installed capacity decreased tremendously (to just 69 MW)
in 2009. The reasons for this drop are attributed to complexity and delays
related to a new government subsidy programme and a decrease in energy
demand due to the economic crisis. With expectations that both of these will
improve in and considering its excellent sun irradiation and PV potential,
Spain is expected to bump up its solar energy capacity again this year.
3. Japan
Total use: 2,700 MW
Japan has high national solar energy goal's to achieve 28 GW by 2020 and 53
GW by 2030. Japan invested $9 billion in stimulus money in solar energy in
2009, and the prime minister also announced a plan to install solar power at
32,000 public schools that year.
4. United States
Total use: 1,800 MW
Supportive state-level policies are a major driver
of growth of solar energy in the US. With many
large ground-mounted solar projects in the
pipeline, installed capacity in the US is expected to grow significantly in
coming years. The cap on the federal solar tax credit was lifted in 2009,
promoting growth in this industry.
5. Italy - Total use: 1,300 MW
In 2009, Italy had experienced the second-largest solar energy growth in the
world. Every two months, Italians install more solar power than California
does in an entire year.
6. Czech Republic - Total use: 600 MW
A generous FiT and simple administrative procedures have put the Czech
Republic on this list. The market growth has probably boomed unsustainably,
however, and if appropriate policies aren't put in place to slow it, the nascent
solar bubble is expected to bust in the coming years.
7. Belgium - Total use: 450 MW
Belgium is a bit of a 2011 solar energy surprise. Belgium's success was from 'a welldesigned Green Certificates scheme (which actually works as a Feed-in Tariff),
combined with additional tax rebates and electricity self-consumption.'
8. China - Total use: 400 MW
China gets a lot of attention these days for its clean energy push, and for good
reason. China is a major solar panel manufacturer but hasn't installed a ton of
PV itself yet. However, it now has 12 Gigawatts of large projects in the pipeline
and if those projects are implemented China is expected to jump closer to the top
of the list. According to China's national energy plan, it is expected to reach a
total of 20 GW by 2020. According to a recent PTI report, China is marching well
ahead of all of them when it comes to capturing the solar market. China's solar
energy budget still stands roughly 20 times larger than America's investment in
the same period, Jonathan Silver, executive director, Department of Energy told
US lawmakers recently.
9. France - Total use: 350 MW
France has a well-designed FiT for building-integrated photovoltaics, so BIPV
dominates the market there. They've put protections in place to help avoid
abuse of the system, and may revise the tariffs to accompany price
speculations. One key issue of concern in France is that although many MW of
solar energy have been installed, a lot of them have not been connected to
the grid. In 2009, 285 MW of capacity was installed but only 185 MW
connected to the grid. This is a major issue that needs to be resolved.
10. India - Total use: 200 MW
India has fast-increasing electricity demand and
it has very high sun irradiation levels. Its
Government has also been moving forward
Strongly on clean energy. The country has a goal
to reach 20 GW by 2020 as well. India could
quickly rise higher on this list with proper
government strategies.
SOME OF THE SOLAR PANEL DEALERS,
MUMBAI
(list not exhaustive)
Sanjay Marketing Company
Gala No 201 Rajasthan Industrial Estate Pathan Wala Compound, Opp Shreyas
Cinema, Lbs Marg, Ghatkopar West, Mumbai – 400084 – Tel: +(91)-22-61614129
J & J Solar Systems
S-005 Ecopark Chs, Near Borosill, Marol Military Road, Andheri East, Mumbai –
400059, Tel: +(91)-22-61637358
Twincity Sunlife PVT LTD
2/22, Evergreen Industrial Estate, Shakti Mill Compound, Near Famous
Studio, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai - 400011, Tel: +(91)-22-61612058
Entegra Limited
K G Marg, Delhi-110001, Tel: +(91)-(11)-43588640, 43588641
Solar India Inc
1/2,Apolla Arcade, Old Palasia Road, Old Palasia, Indore - 452001 (Also serves
Mumbai), Tel: +(91)-(731)-2560554
Solar Spectrum Energy Systems : Nerul, Navi Mumbai-400706
Ultimate Natural Resources : Thane West, Thane-400601
When selecting a solar contractor here are some key things to look for:
1.General Experience - How many years experience does the company have in
installing renewable solar energy systems. Solar is a growing area and many
contractors have limited track records.
2.Local Experience - Has the contractor done solar homes in your local area. The
closer the better. See if any of those homes might allow you to talk to the owner.
3.Licensing - Is the contractor licensed in your county and are they familiar with state
and local building regulations that impact solar installations.
4.Certifications - Does the contractor have any specific manufacturer or industry
certifications.
5.References - References are invaluable, particularly if they reflect local work that is
similar to what you plan to do. Don't rely just on written references because too
often these might be from family or friends. Get references you can call and then
don't be shy about calling. That is often the best way to get the real scoop on a
contractor.
6.Knowledge of Incentives - Most states and some local governments provide a
number of financial incentives for solar systems. These can make a huge difference in
the cost of your solar energy system. Find out if the contractor you are considering is
familiar with these incentives. Moreover, find out if they will apply for the financial
incentives for you as part of their package.
7.Warranties - The best contractors warranty their work. When comparing bidders
look to see who provides the strongest warranty. Check the fine print!
The last word on solar power from
the largest solar company in India
Solar Energy is widely viewed as a
ray of hope in a world that is
being rapidly degraded by
pollution and deforestation.
Tapping energy provided by the
sun, Tata BP Solar has been
showing the way with a range of
non-polluting, environmentfriendly technologies and systems
that offer not only reliable energy,
but also hope for a better future.
78, Electronics City,
Hosur Road,
Bangalore-560 100.
Tel: 080-235 8465 /
852 1016 Fax: 080-852
0972 / 852 0116
Email:
tatabp@tatabp.com
Website:
www.tatabpsolar.com
Petroleum Resource will exist till 2020,
Gas Resource till 2050 then What...? Save
Our Nation, Use Freely available Solar
Power....
This Presentation was produced by Green Earth
Movement (GEM) Team,
c/o St Xavier’s Community Centre, Panvel
Tel: 2745 5556
Email: panvelchurch@gmail.com,
gemenewsletter@gmail.com