Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE 1

Solar Energy: An Option for the Future

Jasim M. Mahdi

August 1, 2013
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE 2

Abstract

This study focuses on discussing the possibility of using solar energy to meet future energy

demands in parts of the world that have a geographical feasibility of using solar energy like

the southwest of the United States. Two groups of researchers with different opinions and

ideas are considered in this research. The first group expects that utilizing solar energy will

bring benefits of reducing environmental harmful emissions associated with fossil fuel usage,

meeting the energy demands even with large increases in population, and lowering

dependence on fossil fuel sources that are depleting. The second group assumes that the

drawbacks of the high cost of production and the intermittency problems associated with

solar technologies are preventing solar energy from replacing fossil fuel efficiently. In this

paper, the possibility of solar energy to compete fossil fuel in energy markets is discussed.

The reason for this is the worldwide ongoing attention to increase its efficiency and lower its

cost. In fact, there is an urgent need for advancing solar energy technologies not only to meet

our energy demands but also to preserve a quality of life for the next generations at least as

good as our own.

Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE 3

The Research Outline

I. Introduction:

A- Hook: Do you agree that solar energy is the best option to meet future energy

demands? Do you think we should use it to tackle growing pollution levels?

B- Issue: utilizing solar energy can serve the growing energy demand and

mitigate environmental pollution levels as well. However, this type of energy

may not be able to compete with fossil fuel economically.

C- Solar energy has technical and economic viability to replace fossil fuel in

some parts of the world

1- Solar energy has the technical, geographical, and economic potential to

meet the future energy needs of the US. (Fthenakis et al., 2008).

2- Public support of solar energy can make it cost-competitive with

conventional energy over the next 20 years (Bosetti et al., 2012).

II. Background:

A- Definitions:

1- Photovoltaic (PV).

2- Concentrating Solar Power (CSP).

B- How does it work?

1- PV technology converts energy from sunlight directly into electricity using

panels of solar cells (Tabriz et al., 2012).

2- CSP technology concentrates the sun’s rays to heat water, producing steam

which drives turbines to generate electricity (Tabriz et al., 2012).

C- History

1- In 1760, A Swiss scientist, Horace de Saussure, built the first thermal

solar collector, which was later used to heat water (Tabriz et al., 2012).
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE 4

2- Changing over time.

a- In 1839, a French physicist, Edmund Bequerel, found certain materials

produce small amounts of electric current when exposed to light,

(Tabriz et al., 2012).

b- In 1954, The first photovoltaic equipment was built by Bell

Laboratories and was billed as a solar battery.

3- The oil crises of the 1970s were a prime mover of starting use of solar

energy to produce electricity.

4- Who is on each side?

a- Side1: renewable energy including solar energy cannot replace fossil

fuel (Trainer , 2010, Youngquist, 2005).

b- Side 2: solar energy has the ability to supply 92% of electricity

demand by 2100 in the US (Fthenakis et al , 2008) . Solar energy can

become cost-competitive with conventional energy technologies over

the next 20 years (Bosetti et al., 2012).

III- Literature Review:

A- Groups involved in the controversy.

a) Side1: Studies show that solar energy is unfeasible to replace

fossil fuel:

1- Solar energy is unable to compete economically fossil fuel or to

meet future energy demands (Trainer , 2010, Youngquist, 2005).

b) Side2: Studies show that solar energy is feasible to replace fossil

fuel:
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE 5

1- Solar energy has technical, geographical and economic

feasibility to replace fossil fuel in the US, (Fthenakis et al.,

2008).

2- Solar energy has future prospects to compete fossil fuel

economically (Bosetti et al., 2012).

3- We should look at solar energy to solve rising of fossil fuel

prices and declining of global oil reserves (Tabriz et al., 2012).

IV- Argumentation:

A- The need to extend the use of renewable energy resources.

1- Growth in the economic performance of the countries is measured

according to their energy consumption and their installation of new

generation facilities.

2- The need to establish a sustainable development depends on

preventing over-consumption of conventional energy sources.

B- Solar energy technologies cannot replace fossil fuel.

It will not be possible to meet future energy demand from alternative

energy sources because of the high cost of producing electricity and

the intermittency problems associated with these sources

C- Solar energy is capable to terminate dependence on fossil fuel.

1- Solar energy has an ability to supply 69% of the total electricity

needs in the United States by 2050 (Fthenakis et al., 2008).

2- Solar energy can be cost-competitive with conventional energy

technologies over the next 20 years (Bosetti et al., 2012).

D- Solar energy technologies can overcome intermittency problem.

Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE 6

1- Adding thermal storage capability with CSP-plants can make them

supply electricity for 24h a day, (Fthenakis et al., 2008).

2- Integrating compressed air energy storage (CAES) with PV-

plants can make them supply electricity for 24h a day (Fthenakis et

al., 2008).

E- Solar energy may be inefficient to replace fossil fuel in the future.

1- The relation, the higher the fossil fuel prices the more intensive

utilization of solar energy, violate that assumption.

2- With more technical improvements, solar energy becomes one of

the most important sources of energy in the world.

V- Conclusion:

A- Solar energy mitigates the full dependence on fossil fuel.

B- Utilizing solar energy can reduce the environmental pollution levels,

and ensure meeting future energy demands in a sustainable manner.

C- Dependence on solar energy can guarantee a healthy life for humans

and secure meeting energy demands even for the coming generations.
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE 7

Solar Energy: An Option for the Future

Excessive dependence on fossil fuel to meet increasing energy demand has led to

undesirable phenomena like global warming and the rise of air pollution levels. Further

drawbacks associated with fossil fuel usage comprise the fluctuating market price and the

security concerns related to imports from foreign suppliers. Moreover, the depletion of fossil

fuel that cannot be escaped since it is a non-renewable source and we are using it faster than

it can be created within the earth. Renewables (such as solar, wind, hydro, biofuels, and

geothermal sources) are the main possible alternatives to avoid all the above inadequacies of

fossil fuel because these sources are environment-friendly and sustainable. One of the most

promising sources of renewable energy is solar energy because it will be available as long as

the sun radiates into the earth.

The two most common uses of solar energy are for electricity production and for

heating purposes. The most widely-used technologies for converting solar energy into

electricity or heat are Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). PV technology

can power calculators and watches, or provide hot water at home through roof panels. CSP

technology is generally proposed for harvesting solar energy at large scales. CSP has great

potential for large-scale power generation like parabolic trough plants built in 1980s in the

Mojave Desert, California.

The further use of solar energy technologies is its contribution to improving the

quality of life for remote parts’ population. People who live in a remote area where there are

no power-lines, solar energy could be the solution. This is because power companies have no

means to access homes in these places. Solar energy will be a dependable option to provide

homes with their demands of heating water, electric power, and even cooking. Another

excellent use is for desalination in places where access to fresh, drinkable water is limited.
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE 8

The seawater is evaporated and leaves the salt crystals in the bottom of a device called the

solar still. The water in turn condenses back where it becomes drinkable.

Increases in levels of energy consumption in the world as a whole, are in a symbiotic

relationship with levels of population. Availability of larger levels of energy makes human

society able to support larger populations, and at the same time, a growing population

will promote the purchase of energy for all aspects of daily life. Therefore, many

energy experts recommend dependence on renewable energy sources to support

the increasing in population because these sources are sustainable and can meet future energy

demands.

In this paper, the researcher will discuss the possibility of utilizing solar energy to

replace fossil fuel in parts of the world having a geographical factor serves the use of such

kind of renewable energy. He will discuss technical and economic factors that govern the

feasibility of implementing solar energy technologies : PV and CSP systems to meet future

energy demands.

Background

In this paper, there are some terms, which might be uncommon or hard to identify and

they may need definitions enable the reader to realize the purpose smoothly. These terms

comprise fossil fuel, renewable energy, biomass, PV, CSP, thermal storage, CAES and

interrmency. Fossil fuel is coal, oil, or natural gas that can be used to produce electricity with

relatively high carbon emissions. Fossil fuels are called non-renewable, conventional or

traditional sources of energy. Renewables are solar, wind, biomass or geothermal energy

sources that can be used to generate electricity with negligible carbon emissions. They are

called alternative, sustainable or clean sources of energy. They are referred to as renewable

and/or sustainable because they cannot be used up or depleted. Solar energy is the radiant
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE 9

light and heat received from the sun. Biomass is wood, crop remnants or animal dung that can

be chemically transformed to produce biofuels. Biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel and biogas

(Sen, 2008).

Technologies of harnessing solar energy divided into two main groups: concentrating

solar power (CSP) systems and Photovoltaic (PV) systems. CSP system is a mechanical

device that uses reflective lenses or mirrors attached with tracking systems to focus sunlight

on a fluid to create steam and then using it to drive turbines and generate electricity. The

parabolic trough, the solar tower and the parabolic dish are the most common CSP systems .

PV systems are panels of solar cells transform the solar radiation directly into electricity.

Solar cells are layers of semiconductor materials that produce electricity from light by the

photoelectric effect. Commercial PV technologies are made from silicon and fall into one of

three categories: mono- or poly-crystalline, String Ribbon, and Amorphous. Crystalline is the

oldest , most expensive, and the most efficient one. String Ribbon needs less work in

production, so its costs are lower than Crystalline. Amorphous or thin film silicon has lower

cost than any other method because thin films require less materials (Tabriz et al., 2012).

Solar energy storage technologies are systems used to store solar energy to utilize it at a later

time. The storage technology used with PV systems called compressed air energy storage

(CAES) while that used with CSP systems called thermal storage capability. These

technologies enable solar power systems to overcome intermittency problems associated with

solar energy to supply electricity even during dark hours by storing and retrieving energy

collected during sunny hours (Fthenakis et al., 2008). Intermittency of solar energy is the fact

that the sun does not shine at night, and is diminished by cloudy skies and storms.

History
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE
10

In 1760, a Swiss scientist, Horace de Saussure, built the first thermal solar collector,

which is used later to heat water by building an insulated rectangular box with a glass

covering to get solar energy in. In 1839, a French scientist, Edmund Bequerel found that

certain materials would generate a little electricity when exposed to light, the phenomenon

that had been known later as the photoelectric effect (Tabriz et al., 2012) . In 1954.

Photovoltaic technology is born in the United States when Bell laboratories designed the first

photovoltaic equipment, which was sold as a solar power battery and it was too costly to gain

widespread use. In the 60’s, the space industry started to make the first serious use of the

technology to provide power aboard spacecraft. Through the space industry, the solar energy

technology gained its reliability and the cost began to decline (Tabriz et al., 2012).

The oil crises of the 1970s have produced an international surge in research and

development of renewable and especially solar energy alternatives to reduce dependency on

fossil fuels. In the 90’s, environmental concerns had taken increasingly worldwide attention

in developing alternative energy technologies to tackle environmental impacts of ozone layer

depletion, greenhouse effect, and global warming, (Sen, 2008). This has led to a rapid

increase in global installations of solar systems especially PV technology, which increased

from 26 Megawatts in 2000 to an estimated 21,000 Megawatts in 2011 (Baker et al., 2013).

This draws a real portrait for the growing attention in utilizing solar energy technologies in

the recent years.

In reviewing the studies that deal with solar energy, a division of researchers into two

groups is noticeable. The first group confirms that solar energy has drawbacks make it

unable to replace fossil fuel and meet future energy needs, (Trainer , 2010, Youngquist,

2005). The second group emphasizes that solar energy has a feasibility to meet future energy

demand and terminate fossil fuel usage, (Bosetti et al., 2012, Fthenakis et al., 2008).
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE
11

Literature Review

Researchers who are interested in energy issues are divided about the possibility of

dependence on solar energy and renewable energy in general to meet future energy demands

and to terminate fossil fuel usage. Some believe that solar energy is an expensive way to

generate electricity, while others trust on renewable energy and especially solar energy to

replace fossil fuel usage in the future.

Those who argue against dependence on solar energy agree that solar energy is

cleaner for the air and healthier for society but at the same time, it has shortcomings prevent

the reliance on it. Trainer (2010) and Youngquist (2005) assume that the high cost of

producing electricity and the intermittency problems associated with alternatives energy

sources including solar energy make them unable to compete economically fossil fuel on one

side and to meet future energy demands and terminate the dependence on it on another side.

Researchers who support the use of solar energy emphasize that solar energy is a

clean form of energy with no risky waste and it is sustainable because it depends on the sun

that keep the earth inhabitable. Tabriz et al. (2012) point out that what earth receives from

solar energy in a minute, can meet our energy demands for a whole year, if only we could

utilize it properly. We should look at solar energy to solve rise of fossil fuel prices and

decline of global oil reserves (Tabriz at al., 2012). Mingyuan (2005) mention the

environmental benefits resulting from use of renewable energy sources cannot be measured

by ability of competency in energy markets. Solar energy can compete fossil fuel in the

energy markets over the next 20 years (Bosetti et al., 2012). Fthenakis et al. (2008) show that

there is a technical, geographical, and economic feasibility to construct solar power plants in

southwest of the US to meet all energy demands of the US as a whole by 2100.

Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE
12

Argumentation

At the end of the 19th and in the beginning of the 20th century, the industrial

revolution was basically based on the consumption of great quantities of energy. Growth in

the economic performance of the countries is measured according to their energy

consumption and their installation of new generation facilities (Pavlović et al., 2006). World

countries' activities to secure their energy demands have led to undesirable phenomena like

global warming and depletion of the ozone layer. Sen (2008) points out that to avoid more

harmful effects and preserve the environment, we need to establish a sustainable development

depends on shifting from conventional energy sources to renewable ones. Furthermore, it is

expected that world population to be doubled in the next 50 years and that lead to double or

triple the current energy demand level. The rapid increase in population and the struggle for

better development leads to the rise in the energy consumption at all times. Satisfying future

energy demand even with large increases in population, require extending the use of

renewable energy resources (Sen, 2008). Among renewable sources, solar energy is the main

candidate due to its abundance in nature more than other types of renewable energy.

The major factor that governs utilizing solar energy is the amount of solar radiation

we are able to capture and convert to other useful types of energy. This factor depends very

much on where in the world we are living. Even though every place worlwide gets sunshine

for all or at least part of the year, in a lot of locations it is just too poor to create economically

practical conversion the energy. The differences in the strength of the sun’s energy are due to

the angle at which the sun’s rays hit the Earth’s surface (Sen, 2008).

The argument that solar energy technologies are too expensive and cannot

economically compete fossil fuel still exists by some researchers. Trainer (2010) and

Youngquist (2005) indicate that it will not be possible to meet future energy demand by

depending on alternative energy sources because of the high cost of producing electricity and
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE
13

the intermittency problems associated with these sources. By comparing the probable world

population growth and the corresponding rise in energy consumption levels , Trainer shows

that the alternative energy sources are undependable. Alternative energy sources meaning

renewable energy sources including solar energy.

I will begin with the first line of argument , solar energy is a costly way to produce

electricity and cannot replace fossil fuel. I think, solar may be a costly way to make

electricity for quite some time . The results of Fthenakis et al. (2008) show the ability of PV

and CSP technologies to supply 69% of the total electricity needs in the United States by

2050 and to supply 100% of electricity demand by 2100 within CO2- emissions 60% and

92% below the 2005 level respectively. Fthenakis et al. mention that solar energy is

becoming more efficient and cost-effective as long as the reduction in solar technologies

prices and the development in energy storage equipment continue to rise.

The results of Bosetti et al. (2012) that depend on a survey of sixteen experts

indicate, if public support of solar energy proceeds, at least one of the solar technologies PV

or CSP can get over the existing technical obstacles and become cost-competitive with

conventional energy technologies over the next 20 years. The outcomes of this survey refer to

the existence of a growing attention and obvious efforts performed in European nations with

regard to the development of solar energy technologies . Experts who are interviewed in this

survey believe that there is a great possibility that the European countries will achieve an

advanced step in reducing production costs of solar technologies. Also, they anticipate that

other countries such as the USA and China have a good venture of generating cost-

competitive solar technologies.

Mingyuan,W. ("n.d.") mention the environmental benefits resulting from use of

renewable energy sources, cannot be measured by price signals and, ability of competency in

energy markets. Renewable energy sources don't create the carbon emissions that the fossil
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE
14

fuel produce and doesn’t need extraction, refinement, and transportation. The essence of this

use is to ensure a constant relationship between human activities and the environment, which

does not diminish the prospects of future generations enjoying a quality of life at least as

good as our own.

Second line of argument which is intermittency problems associated with renewable

energy sources including solar energy. The intermittency problem-the fact that the sun

doesn’t shine at night- can be solved by adding compressed air energy storage (CAES) to PV-

plants and integrating the thermal storage capability with concentrating solar power (CSP)

plants. This enables these systems to supply electricity even during dark hours by storing and

retrieving solar energy collected during sunny hours. With integrating energy storage to both

PV and CSP, Fthenakis et al. (2008) expect an important price reduction would make the PV-

cost competitive in the energy market by 2020 and CSP would witness drastic cost reductions

post-2015. Fthenakis et al. expect PV-technology prices will decline from today’s $0.16 per

kWh to $0.06 per kWh in 2020. Their results related to CSP-technology indicate the ability of

parabolic trough plants to supply electricity for 24h a day in spring, summer, fall and 16h a

day in the winter. Fthenakis et al. point out that more advancement of thermal storage used in

CSP would cause drastic cost reductions post-2015.

I think , even though there are some problems with both the PV and the CSP at the

present, within the next few years, new technical developments may allow their efficiency to

improve and the cost to greatly decrease. Some may still argue and insist on that solar energy

is inefficient way to meet future energy demands or replace fossil fuel. This, however, is not

completely true because when we are taking into account this relation; the higher the fossil

fuel prices the more intensive use of solar energy , assumption of utilizing solar energy to

meet energy needs will be validated. Further, growing worldwide attention to global climate

change may prompt emerging new solar technologies that can provide cheaper solutions than
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE
15

those we can envision today and gradually, solar energy may become one of the most

important sources of energy in the world.

Conclusion

As a sustainable form of energy, solar energy can terminate the burgeoning carbon

emissions associated with usage of fossil fuel and the environmental risks resulting from.

Utilizing solar energy can reduce the environmental pollution levels, and preserve a healthy

environment for coming generations. Furthermore, the fact that fossil fuel is depleting cannot

be escaped and there is a necessity to think about a renewable source can replace it. The

desire to use renewable energy sources is due to their availability in many parts of the world.

Among many renewable energy sources, solar energy is the main candidate to replace fossil

fuel due to its abundance more than other sources. High cost of production and intermittency

problem are the main challenges that face expanding use of solar energy. The growing

worldwide attention in developing solar energy technologies can make it cost-effective in

energy markets and able to replace fossil fuel. In fact, dependence on solar energy

can guarantee a healthy life for humans and secure meeting energy demands even for the

coming generations after the current fossil fuel sources had been running out.
Running Head: SOLAR ENERGY: AN OPTION FOR THE FUTURE
16

References

Baker, E., Fowlie , M., Lemoine, D., Reynolds, S. (2013). The economics of solar electricity.
Annual Review of Resource Economics 5. Doi: 10.1146/annurevresource-091912-
151843.

Bosetti, Valentina, Catenacci, Michela, Fiorese, Giulia and Verdolini (2012). The future
prospects of PV and CSP solar technologies . Review of Environment, Energy and
Economics (Re3).

Fthenakis, V., Mason, J. & Zweibel, K. (2008). The technical, geographical, and economic
feasibility of solar energy to supply the energy needs of the US. Energy Policy, 37 (2),
387–399.

Mingyuan, W. ("n.d."). Government Incentives to Promote Renewable Energy in the United

States. Temple journal of sci. Tech. & envtl. Law, XXIV (1), 355-366.

Pavlović, T., Radosavljević, J., Pavlović , Z., Kostić, L. (2006). Solar energy and sustainable
development. Facta Universitatis, 4 (1), 13 – 119.

Sen, Z. (2008). Solar energy fundamentals and modeling techniques : atmosphere,

environment, climate change and renewable energy. Springer-Verlag London.

Tabriz, S., Behboodi, E., Aliyev, F.(2012). Towards renewability by applying solar energy
technologies for improved life cycle. IJTPE, 4 (11), 7–12.

Trainer, T. (2010). Can renewables etc. solve the greenhouse problem? The negative case.
Energy Policy, 38, 4107–4114.

Youngquist, W. ( 2005) Spending our great inheritance; then what? .

The Social Contract. 155-158.