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Solar Energy for Homes, Research Paper Example

Pages: 12

Words: 3318

Research Paper

Abstract

The market of solar power in the US is set to develop immensely during the third quarter of this year; this is due to the initiative to increase the uptake of solar panels in homes, and the planned utility level which is set to be built across the entire country. The introduction of the thin film technology will see the increase in the acceptance of solar concentrators and reduction in the price of solar panel trackers and the increase in the reliability of solar power. The average yield from the PV (Photovoltaic) array will keep on increasing due to the advantage in geographical position of North America in terms of harnessing the solar power
Key words: Photovoltaic, Learning rates, concentrating solar power, Modeling, Storage

Introduction

This project is carried out against the background of rising prices of power in north America, the explores the unique untapped market for solar systems in north America and the strategies that can be used by the residents of north America to get access to the cheap film technology and PV panels and stay ahead of the rising fuel prices and exploit the opportunities presented by cheap PV Panels. Knowing about the strategy used by the North American administrations can help both the potential solar entrepreneurs and residents’ to optimize their opportunities of unexploited market and cheaper source of clean power. Solar panels are one of the primary tools that most of the residents of North America are using for efficiency in their daily lives and businesses. Solar technology has enables some business people to reduce some of the unnecessary operational cost and overcome the uncertainty of perennial power supply problems is North America. Most of the customers of shops in America are enjoying quality goods thanks to the reliable solar power.

While strategic operations management is charged with the measurement of internal factors and analysis of all the external factors with the view of achieving the overall organizational competitiveness. Efficiency is the mainstay of operations management and so it is the guiding principle in the implementation of superior techniques that ensure total quality management in any organization in North America. In this way companies that operate in North America have had to purchase solar panels for efficiency and effective operations of their businesses.

Report purpose

Studies show that 65% of average American households today own a solar panel. In this project, my aim was to explore the uptake of solar panels in America especially the homes in North America, this report details the advantages of solar panels over other conventional sources of energy like wood fuel, electricity and gas. The study also does ca comparative study of the costs involved in using solar panels as compared to those other conventional sources of energy.

Study area

This project was done in North America (Canada) to analyze the uptake of solar panel in that region in the face of rising prices of fuel and electricity.

The scopes and structure of the report

This Survey-based project has potential for bias because some of the respondents who will be selected randomly are expected to give false information and the problems, which are   natural with survey results. Though the rate of respondent in North America (Alaska) is good non respondents to the project survey resulted in skewed outcomes. There was bias on the part of the rich people living in Alaska, some were non committal while others did not want to talk about their experiences with the rising prices of power and this resulted in under-reporting while some respondent have never had the chance to use the solar panels.

Structure

The report is divided into chapters with each chapter discussing a distinctive topic which are all linked to gather to deliver the final aim of this report. The first chapter of the research would focus on the introductory aspects like aims and objectives, research strategy, project description etc. This chapter actually sets up the tone for the entire research.

The second chapter is based on the theoretical aspect of research and it would focus on the analysis of previous researches done on the same topic. A critical analysis of operations management strategies researches would be presented in detail and these aspects would be linked later to solar panels.The third chapter would present a research based overview about the core methodology of research that would be utilized in this project. This chapter would focus on the research strategy that would be utilized in this research.

The fourth chapter provides an in-depth view of solar panel advantages and disadvantages. This section explores the working and integration of North America and the effectiveness of their solar panel policy. This essentially links the theory of combination of operations management strategies and techniques in modern slow moving consumer goods. This will form the core aspect of this research.

Findings and analysis is considered the most important chapter in research and it would directly focus on the title of the research. This chapter would give subtle findings so that the reader can develop a certain conclusion about the research.  The conclusion would be the last chapter of the research. This chapter would conclude the entire findings and analysis section and all the other chapters that were utilized in this research. The design of the research project can have two different approaches, those being deductive or inductive. Whereas the deductive approach is commonly known as a “top-down” approach, the inductive approach is known as a “bottom-up” approach

With an inductive approach empirical data is firstly ascertained out of which hypotheses are being derived. This approach is also known as qualitative approach. With a deductive approach existing theories are being verified and causal relationships are being explained. For this purpose hypotheses are established, which are than validated with means of quantitative methods. The major benefit of this kind of approach is based on the generalisability of the study is.  The deduction process that has been used in this dissertation is depicted in figure 1.

deduction process

Figure 1: deduction process

In this dissertation the deductive approach was chosen. General theories were observed out of which hypothesis were formulated, a questionnaire to collect the data was set up that was essential to test those against existing literature to be able to either confirm or reject the original theories in the end.
Cost for a home solar system in Canada
According to a local Canadian bank, the overall cost of installation of the solar system at a home in North America is approximately $220 for a 25-watt system and $650 for an 85-watt system. The poor electricity infrastructure in north America leaves many people in north America in constant struggle for lighting, this is coupled by the unreliable power service and level of income of the inhabitants of this areas making electricity power an illusion to these people, all these leads us to the ideas of the untapped market for solar energy system in north American homes. In north America most of the local are trying to harness the power of sun for their domestic use, this is true thanks to the dropping prices of the solar panels and increasing  cost of electricity.

Untapped Market Potential

In north America, close to 5 million households are living in dilapidated houses where electric power supply has been disconnected or can not afford electricity, most of these people are use either kerosene or automobile batteries for lighting, cell phone charging and for other domestic uses like watching television and in their computers . The downside of the solutions is that: the kerosene lamps and open flames have caused fire breakouts and automobile battery needs constant charging some of the comments made by children from these regions are appalling. “When my parents became busy to recharge the empty batteries, the entire family ended up sitting in darkness,” said Mona Cox, a 20-year-old hotel receptionist shared her experience.

Due to such problems, we realize that there is a very big market potential for solar panels in this part of the world; the solar solutions shall provide the residents of these areas with a very safe source of light with little or minimal movement and problems, solar solutions are also less costly than electricity from the national grid. The families living in North American areas like Alaska have discovered the low cost of the solar lanterns that helps them in saving money as compared to the electric power.

An average family in North America uses close to $32 per year on fuel expenditure on kerosene lanterns) while a solar lantern may last for close to two years after an initial purchase price of $40, which translates to $64 over two years for kerosene lamps and $40 over two years for solar lanterns. The states in North America still get an average of 3.7 kWh/m2/day, meaning the amount of potential for energy generation from the sun is unlimited, the US being the worlds biggest consumer of electricity in the world with the demand for power being close to 7.2 times the total power demand in Germany and 18 times that of Spain. The current solar power market is supplying 824MW (Just s small % of the overall demand for power in North America.

Statement of Problem

There have been technological upgrading that increased the level of efficiency of the devices in terms of power; this is coupled by the recent introduction of the PV panels which has contributed into the national grid. The further introduction of the government Feed in Tariff’s (FITs) has provided the financial inducements for people to use to use the solar panels hence reducing the paybacks periods for the solar panels. For an individual to qualify for the governments FIT scheme the particular individual must be MCS certified and the panels must also be certified by the MCS.

Solar panels an overview

Today there are many types of solar panels, the major examples are, the Photovoltaic PV, the Solar Thermal and finally the solar hybrid PV-T/PVT panels, which is a complex combination of the Solar PV and the Solar Thermal. Solar energy can be used for the following purposes; Street lighting, as a source of Emergency power in hospital and schools, in running Sophisticated telecommunications equipment, in farming activities, such as farming  and also as an alternative source of Residential and commercial electricity. The Solar PV (Photovoltaic) Panels are the panels used to produce the electricity we use, atypical example of this solar PV is the photovoltaic panel that uses array of the photovoltaic cells (semiconductor devices) to produce electricity after enough exposure to the light. This panel has a host of cell each producing a small amount of power which when combined together results into a large amount of electric power

The local Solar PV cells is used for producing the DC (direct current), it can also be used for powering small domestic appliances which are connected to an power converter to convert the power from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating Current) at the right voltage. A DC- CA Inverter is a very important component of the solar PV. In addition to this a connection must have an electronic control system and a metering system which helps in the control of the local usage of the solar power and feeding the electricity into the main grid of the electricity supplier

The Solar Thermal systems basically uses the circulation of pumped fluid to harvest the energy directly, it collects heat generated by the solar heating effects and even the high temperature at the colleted by the solar collectors to heat the fluid that is passed through a heat exchanger or a very big solar cylinder in a very tight loop. This is then transferred to the to a home heating system, most of the thermal solar panels provided the heated water for domestic use, hospitals, offices and swimming pools, the glycol solution used by the thermal solar panels to transfer fluids to through tubes or across a large flat plate mounted on rooftops, with small electric pump to circulate the fluid. (Sonneborn, 2004)

The latest improvement is the Hybrid Solar PV-T Panels. The Solar PV panels is known to have one technical issues of heating and loosing efficiency. the laymen have always cooled the solar PV panels to make sure that the solar PV panels stays cooler so at to run at the highest attainable efficiency. This type of solar system only work by Hybrid solar panel systems work by combining the general electrical generating properties of one solar PV system with the heat transfer system from a different solar thermal system to utilize the combined benefits of both systems for the activities of heating and electricity.

Quality of solar panels

The companies producing solar panels have involved the department of research and development (R&D) to help ensure that all it’s the products design are superior. The products must meet the customers’ expectations in all seasons. Quality management system encompasses structures, procedures, processes, and resources that organizations use to implement quality management. Quality management systems are conventionally recognized as ways of assuring product safety and efficacy as well as user satisfaction, anybody intending to purchase a solar panel must not fear technical failure as is inherent in equipment and machines. All organizations specializing in the manufacture of solar panels or any of its components regardless of their size and nature of business operations require quality management systems. In addition, these systems are not limited to private or public organizations. Quality management systems can be applied in a single department right up to the whole organization. Companies can that buy from recognized solar panels (Sonneborn, , 2004)

The future of solar power in North America

Demographics of the distributions of solar panels in the world

At present the percentage of solar panels in the US makes 5 percent of total global solar panels demand. However this is still expected to change to the higher side due to the fact that there is slow spread and acceptance of the solar panels in the US. Statistics show that there will be a 23% increase over the next 2 years, this translates to approximately 11.5 % increase per annum or 6percent increase semiannually. The present concentration of solar PV (panels) in California is expected to spread to other parts of the US due to the increasing prices of energy and the subsequent fall in the prices of solar panels. The residents of North America are bound to take up more solar panel because the solar trackers will allow them to generate power with smaller set ups.

The uptake of solar panels in slowly increasing in the Northern part of America as a result of below reasons;

The public utility commission is trying out a project similar to the California public utilities commission (the California solar initiative) to generate more solar power and companies are offering various incentives to individuals and focus groups thus increasing the uptake of solar panels across North America (Sozer,   & Elnimeiri, , 2003, p. 4)

The sudden rise of the utility market in North America also has the potential of driving the solar power in leaps and bounds into the future. However, the present 285MW of the grid connected utility PV capacity in the United States is not made up of the grid connection from North America, connected to the North American off grid connection may shoot the figure tom over 280MW or even more considering the fact that currently there is close to 6 GW of projects that are supposed to start working soon in various part of the country. This can be said to be the most interesting time for the solar panels, the recent project of the thin film technology is said to be the a very viable product as they are cheap and effective   as compared to other sources of power(Sozer,   & Elnimeiri, , 2003, p. 4)”. The utility installation is even becoming more realistic thanks to the solar concentrators, the rising prices of power and declining energy security. Those are the main forces driving the solar power market.

The advantage so solar energy over conventional energy

  • It is a cheap source of energy as the energy from the sun is free and only the initial cost of acquiring the solar panel and its components are taken into considerations while considering the cost
  • Depending on the energy utilization, the payback period is very short compared to other sources of energy such as electricity and gas.”(Huxley, 2006, p. 2)
  • Solar as a renewable source of energy is stable and can stand alone without further connection to a power grid
  • The supply of solar energy by the sun is unlimited
  • The use of solar energy displaces the other conventional sources of energy like wood fuel and petrol thereby reducing the green house effect.
  • The use of solar energy is still a virgin market and thus it presents an opportunity for both potential users and solar equipment suppliers alike.

Disadvantage of solar energy

  • It is very reliant on the strength of the sun and may not be reliable over some season meaning users must have a an alternative standby source of energy
  • Comparative analysis (single house hold)
  • Solar energy $Electricity$
  • Equipment 50 25
  • Installation 10 15
  • Maintenance  xxx 10
  • Subscription(monthly) xxx 30
  • Total 80 80

From the table above (see table 1), we see that it is cheaper to install solar panels in homes in the long run than installing electricity.

Recommendations

The government should consider pre financing the solar lanterns for the rental services; this is also a good business opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors in areas such as Alaska and Canada. The government should encourage potential investors to take part in the solar revolution so that the strain on the main grid eases. Youths living in these areas should be trained on technical skills like repair and maintenance of the solar panels and empowered to work in these areas because the newly acquired solar panels will definitely develop technical problems and people will need technicians to repair the panels. Distribution of the solar panels will also be the work of the government trained youths as well as the provision of the after sales services. The government should also cut tariffs on items such as panels by 32%”” (Huxley, 2006, p. 2)

Payment Solutions Designed for Rural Poor

Most of the residents of north America are generally poor and may find the it very hard to switch to the solar power, the solar power is basically perceived as costly due to its initial investment, solar entrepreneur have had to partner with the micro loan providers to advance soft loans to the residents to pay the initial investments for the solar lanterns and solar systems and the  residents pay back the loans through savings on kerosene, automobile battery charging fees and proceeds from the cottage industry” (Faiers & Neame, 2006, para. 6).

Conclusions

Solar energy is a necessary evil that the residents of North America must learn to live with, the emerging issues like global warming, rises in the price of the barrel at the international market and the worsening political relations between America and the Middle East is a clear indicator of further increases in prices of power. The only way the residents of Alaska can beat these economic changes is by adopting the use of solar panels as they have shown their intentions to use the solar panel and the government’s effort to promote the use of sols energy should be steeped further by offering more stimulating incentives to the people of North America.

References

Sonneborn, , C. L. (2004, November). “(32:16 Renewable Energy and Market-Based Approaches to Greenhouse Gas Reduction -. Opportunity or Obstacle?” Energy Policy, 32(36),” 1799–1805.

Sozer,  , H., & Elnimeiri, , M. (2003, September). Identification of Barriers to PV Application into the Building Design.. Proceedings of the 2003 International Solar Energy

Huxley. (2006, July 20). Solar Panel Trackers to Help US Solar Market During 2011/12May 27. Retrieved May 12, 2011, from http://www.fao.org/NEWS/2000/001003-e.htm

Faiers, A., & Neame, C. (2006, September). Consumer Attitudes towards Domestic Solar Power Systems. Energy Policy, 34(14), 1797–1806.

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