Conversion Efficient Solar Panels: Practical Information for Beginners

The conversion efficiency of solar panels is the ratio of sunlight striking a solar panel surface (input) and the electricity it produces (output). The more electricity is produced from sunlight, the more efficient the panel.

Solar panel efficiency is very important because this will determine from the very start adequate electricity supply, the size and cost of your home solar system. As of now the efficiency of solar cells stands at around 15 to 17%.

Primer on solar panels

A solar panel or solar module is a collection of solar cells that is used to generate and provide electricity in homes and other establishments. The cells should provide a high solar conversion ratio or produce more electricity from sunlight to have a high conversion efficiency rating.

The number of panels needed depends on the amount of electricity you want to produce. Different materials display different efficiencies and have different costs.

Here are the different solar cells used in the manufacture of solar panels:

1. The first generation cells consist of the traditional single-junction, silicon-wafer, photovoltaic solar cell. They have the highest conversion efficiency, averaging from 15-20% in most cases. Although these are the most studied and popular cells in the market, their main obstacle have been production costs.

2. Second generation cells utilize thin film technology, involving amorphous or micromorphous silicon, or ignoring silicon altogether. First Solar, the largest thin film manufacturer in the nation, uses cadmium telluride based cells. These solar cells are smaller and much cheaper than their first generation counterparts.

Unfortunately they are also much less efficient, with conversion rate at the level of around 10% or less. Because the panels are so thin, they can be produced very fast and relatively cheap. This compensates for lower efficiency. These solar cells will likely surpass the first generation panels in the next few years.

3. Third generation solar cells are believed to be the most ideal for the solar industry. Unfortunately they are still in the research phase. The concept is to produce a low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell, the epitome of solar technologies.

Despite being on research phase, results have been very promising. Organic solar cells promise cheap, clean, and abundant production resources. Nanosolar cells promise strong yet tiny cells that could thrive in paint or embedded in a window or anywhere.

At present, the first generation cells have the highest conversion rates, while the second generation has the edge on production costs (with a decent conversion rate). The third generation is being designed to beat out the first two, and it looks like it will eventually succeed.

Significant gains in conversion efficiency

1. Scientists from Spectrolab, Inc., a subsidiary of Boeing, have published their research on the fabrication of solar cells that surpass the 40% efficiency milestone—the highest efficiency achieved for any photovoltaic device. The research was funded partly by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and will play a significant role in the government’s Solar America Initiative, which aims to make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional electricity generation by 2015.

2. SANYO has broken its own record for the world's highest energy conversion efficiency in practical size crystalline silicon-type solar cells. The company achieved the breakthrough by demonstrating an efficiency of 22% (beating a previous record of 21.8%) at a research level.

3. Recently, scientists broke a record by producing dye-sensitized solar cells with a 10% conversion efficiency. This is an exciting development, and we could begin seeing commercial adaptation within 5-10 years.

4. The top three makers in the country, Suntech, Yingli and JA Solar, have boosted the efficiency of monocrystalline silicon variants to more than 18.5 percent. Efforts are under way to raise this further to catch up with leading manufacturer SunPower. The latter has achieved a record 24.2 percent conversion ratio of solar cells in recent months.

Scientists and researchers in the solar industry are working real hard to upgrade the solar cells, in the hopes of developing the solar industry’s dream: a low-cost, high-efficiency solar panel. Only through this can we make a dent in the strong hold of fossil energy supplying the world.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed

Defining the Role of Government Incentives in the Growth of Solar Industry

Degeneration of the environment brought about by fossil fuel emission in electricity plants is an established fact causing world-wide concern. This drove various governments including US to search for alternative sources of power. Solar is prominently considered.

Solar technology is ripe and waiting for consumer adoption. To fast track the use of solar power, the state and federal governments have offered a variety of incentives to encourage homeowners and businesses to put panels on their roofs, and for utilities to buy power from large independent solar producers.

What are these incentives? And how did it affect the solar industry?

Government solar incentives:

Federal incentives:

1. Performance-Based Incentive
Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI)

2. Personal Exemption
Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Personal)

3. Personal Tax Credit
Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit
Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

4. The Emergency Energy Policy Act of 2005 offers a tax credit of 30% for photovoltaic system (solar home energy) and water heater with a tax credit ceiling of $ 2,000. This Act expired on December 31, 2007.

5. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 extended the expiration of Emergency Energy Policy Act of 2005 to December 31, 2016. This Act offered the same tax credit and increased the tax credit ceiling by removing the $ 2,000 limit.

6. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, (ARRA), commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009. It provided $94.8 billion for clean energy. The program was established under section 1603 and provided cash grants covering 10% or 30% of the total cost of developing new renewable energy facilities.

ARRA also funded research projects to develop future renewable energy technologies which could be cost competitive to sources of electricity producing air pollutants.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), ARRA has supported more than 1,100 solar projects in 42 states, creating enough new solar capacity to power 200,000 homes. ARRA has resulted in nearly 40 percent growth in the solar power market in 2009 and nearly double in 2010.

State incentives

State tax rebate.The U.S. government offers many incentives in different states to encourage solar power adoption in order to compete with conventional electricity source where the price is lower than solar generated energy.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

DSIRE provides a comprehensive list of the different states and the solar tax rebate they offer prospective solar users. Please visit them at: http://www.dsire.org.

The results from the different sectors showed that government investment has played a significantly role in the growth of solar industry in America.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com

Grid Electricity Rate Increase and the Role of Solar

Grid electricity had been on a steady rise for almost 4 decades. In some areas, residential electric rates have increased, on the average of 6% per year. It seems that people are getting used to increase as something to be expected.

However, many are now getting aware that the expenses are gradually becoming a bigger slice of the family budget. This concern is fueled by the fact that there are some alternative solutions to the problem. Many are getting serious with solar more keenly now than they did years back.

The present state of grid electricity

Grid electricity had been on the rise and is expected to continue to climb in a speedy rate over the next 5 to 10 years. What are the causes of this continuous rise? Are they preventable? And what measures are being done? Here’s what the experts say.

1. Almost half of the electricity in the United States is produced from coal. The use by electric utilities accounts for about 92 percent of total U.S. coal consumption. So any increase in the cost of coal will surely increase grid electricity.

2. Over the commodity cost of coal itself, two other important factors will influence the cost of coal generation. These are not within the control of coal producers.
a. First, transportation costs are critical to the coal industry. Coal transportation can be very expensive – in some instances it accounts for up to 70% of the delivered cost of coal. The cost of shipping coal can cost more than the cost of mining it.
b. Second is the recently high sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions allowance costs in the SO2 permit trading market.

3. The price of coal had been upward since a decade ago. It increased from around $30.00 per short ton in 2000 to around $150.00 per short ton as of September 2008. As of October 2008, the price per short ton had declined to $111.50. Prices further declined to $71.25 as of October 2010.

4. With over 100 new coal power plants proposed nationwide, the Union of Concerned Scientists has expanded its efforts to heighten awareness of the true costs of coal. Coal power plants release the most global warming emissions of any source of electricity. A growing consensus, which even includes business and utility executives, expects that Congress will regulate global warming emissions in the next few years.

5. The Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act require industries to reduce pollutants released into the air and the water. Power plants use flue gas desulfurization equipment, also known as "scrubbers," to clean sulfur from the smoke before it leaves their smokestacks. In addition, industry and government have cooperated to develop technologies that can remove impurities from coal or that make coal more energy-efficient so less needs to be burned.

What solar can do

The use of renewable energy is not new. Many years ago, wood is the most commonly used renewable to supply most of the energy needs. As the use of oil, coal, petroleum, and natural gas grew in popularity, people became less reliant on wood.

Today with the growing problems of these popular sources, people are taking a second look at renewable. Solar is the most promising with recent technological advances in cost and efficiency. Consider these observations and facts:

1. With solar energy in your home, you are your own generating company. You are not affected by threat of electricity increase or power interruption because you have free fuel from the sun. Fuel cost had been the cause of steady rise of grid electricity as earlier mentioned.

2. Many homeowners believe that solar in the home is a significant step towards overcoming grid electricity cost. Solar demand has grown at about 30% per year over the past 15 years attesting to its growing acceptability. One recent National Poll Survey showed that 77% of Americans feel that the federal government should make solar power development a national priority including the financial support needed.

3. Solar energy installation costs have declined on average 4% over the past 15 years. Now the cost of solar electricity installation ranges from $ 5 to $10/watt without incentives.

4. The speedy rate of increase of fossil electricity makes reducing energy consumption via solar and other energy-saving measures more financially rewarding than ever – with return on Investment coming even faster.

5. The increase in electricity rates that kicked in on January 1, 2010 will make investments in renewable energy solutions more appealing and cost-effective than ever, according to Greenspring Energy.

Now that the cost of grid electricity is on the upswing, home solar power becomes an attractive hedge. Not only will it protect the family from the inevitable fossil power cost increase but likewise, will provide a solution to the growing pollution of the environment. Certainly using solar becomes a win- win proposition for all.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed.

What Beginners Should Know About Environmental Pollution Problems and the Role of Solar Power?

It is wise that beginners know the background of the worsening pollution problem. Prevention and control have been the talk for a number of years now. The growing awareness was due to observations that something wrong traceable to pollution was happening to our planet with the identified perpetrators as the inhabitants themselves.

To this effect, conferences were held and papers were discussed in symposium, all seemingly sound solution to the problem at hand. But what do the environmentalists and pollution experts say? What is the score?

Background of pollution problem:

Ever since the cave man began using his hand to meet his needs, he started throwing waste around without a care in the world. The carcasses and skin of animals he slew for food are left to decay producing fowl odor for days. It was the time when land and water were considered large enough to dilute anything human beings could collectively throw at it.

Little did man know that this was the start of his pollution practices carried up to this day in more sophisticated ways? As to the present pollution problem, the modern man was no different from the cave man in practice – he doesn't bother with the problem until it becomes serious, then starts fixing it.

This is what we are doing now: fixing the pollution problem we started years ago and continuing up to the present. What are these serious pollution problems?

Pollution is everywhere. They are manifested in many forms the most serious of which is its deleterious effects on our climate. It is present in many forms.

1. Carbon dioxide that causes climate change resulting in changes in rainfall pattern worldwide bringing about flood, typhoons, hurricanes and other destructive weather disturbances to mention a few. The most visible sources of this are the million running cars, factories and power plants

2. CFCs and methane that destroy the protective ozone layer, sulfur dioxide that causes acid rain contaminating our soil with harmful chemicals and smog.

3. All the other chemicals that contribute to respiratory ailments and cancers.

4. Pollution is also found in the soil, deposited as it falls from the air and lingering for decades after being applied to croplands or washed into the silt of riverbeds.

5. We see pollution in the water, in the form of raw discharge from factories and sewage plants.

Having identified these pollution problems, where does solar come in?

1. Clean renewable energy accounts for almost 3% of the power used worldwide with less than 1% coming from solar. This can hardly offset the other sources of pollution. But it holds a good promise and for this reason the use of renewable power is one of the main thrusts of developed countries. Solar home system can significantly lower reliance on fossil electricity, one of the sources of pollution.

2. Photovoltaic (PV) technologies generate direct current (DC) electricity through the action of sunlight falling on semiconductor surface. The electricity thus produced can be used to power a wide variety of pollution prevention and environmental restoration applications.

a. Solar powered sensors are widely used to sample water and air in facilities such as chemical plants, refineries and oil storage terminals and to detect releases of toxic substances.

b. It is also used to power mobile leak detectors along gas and oil pipelines.

c. Solar energy is frequently used to provide power for restoration tools, such as filters or skimmers, which remove oil, fuel and other hydrocarbons from groundwater.

d. The PV Calculator is a tool to help determine the variable costs and benefits of installing a solar power system at home or business. You can estimate how much pollution you could prevent with your use of solar energy.

Is the measure in place effective in controlling environmental pollution?

The Kyoto Protocol is a treaty negotiated in December 1997 at the city of Kyoto, Japan and came into force February 16th, 2005. The goal is to lower overall emissions from six greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, HFCs, and PFCs.

The view that human activities are likely responsible for most of the observed increase in global mean temperature ("global warming") since the mid-20th century is an accurate reflection of current scientific thinking. Developed nations have contributed most to the concentrations of greenhouse gas (GHG) in the atmosphere.

World Bank commented that the Kyoto Protocol had only a slight effect on curbing global emissions growth. The treaty was negotiated in 1997, but by 2005, energy-related emissions had grown 24%.

Under the present situation, the field of renewable energy sources becomes the sole ray of hope for mankind. There is no way we can bring down the demand of energy as the consumer markets are destined to rise with time. The only alternative is to look for sources of energy that can supplant the conventional means which uses fossil fuels.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed

Off Grid Solar Home System (SHS): Know why it is the most Viable Solution to Electricity Problems in Developing Countries

Off Grid Solar Home System (SHS) is a low level power source, which to some determines the difference between living in poverty and abundance. Not having electricity is more of a rule rather than an exception in rural areas of developing countries.

As such, this situation is accepted by the people who continue to mire in poverty. They have never experienced the benefits of electricity that can uplift their way of living. The introduction of solar power is a most welcome change as what some developing countries are finding out.

What is Off- Grid Home Solar System (SHS)?

SHS is a low level solar power source which consists of a solar panel, charge controller, a lead acid battery and several lights. It typically operates at a rated voltage of 12 V and provides power for lights, radio and low power appliances for about 3 to 5 hours a day. It is the simplest and an independent electricity source for the family.

Advantages of SHS

1. It fulfills the basic electricity needs such as lighting, radio and mobile phone chargers
2. SHS provides lighting for home study or evening classes, or working after dark.
3. Users enjoy improved health as a result of reduced exposure to indoor air pollution from
kerosene lamps.
4. SHS reduces greenhouse gas emissions by replacing conventional energy resources
(kerosene, paraffin candles, gasoline, dry cell batteries).
5. It is affordable for rural households via microfinance schemes on a saved cost basis.
6. SHS have low operation and maintenance costs.
7. More than one million SHS have been installed worldwide as of 2008

Experiences with SHS

1. Preparing the ground for SHS project implementation is an important component. The people must know the benefits the project will bring, the assistance of the government and other private sectors and their responsibility to make SHS sustainable.

2. SHS projects are best initiated by the local government and not for profit international organizations. At the earliest stage, private sector participation must come in with diminishing reliance on government subsidies. Local dealers must be encouraged to make direct sales to cash paying customers and develop link to credit institutions.
3. SHS must be developed as a win-win business proposition bringing profits to local dealers, established benefits for the rural families and employment for SHS service men. Financing must also make modest profit from the investment. Establishing the above components will make SHS sustainable.
4. Experience showed that it is advantageous if the whole SHS can be sold or financed as one package
5. Efficient after-sales service of SHS is important. Failure in providing this service will reflect on loan payments. It will be difficult to collect on SHS that doesn’t work.

Conventional electricity power grid for remote rural areas is too costly for developing countries to install. Off Grid Solar Home System is a practical approach that can provide benefits from solar energy. It’s not only a viable solution; it’s something that makes good sense.

Helping the third world countries build Off Grid Solar Home System is good for them . . . it makes life better . . . it creates a clean environment . . . its good for humanity.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed.

Saudi Arabia Going Solar: Oil Won’t Last Forever

Saudi Arabia is going solar. What for? Who needs solar when the country is the world’s largest oil producer? They can have all the fuel they need. They hold one fifth of the global oil reserves. What could motivate Saudi Arabia to look at solar’s way?

Saudi Arabia’s demand for petroleum products - demand for energy - is rising at a high and very alarming rate,” Khalid Al Sulaiman, vice president for renewable energy at King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, said in a speech at the Saudi Solar Forum. “Population growth and robust economic development and many reasons drive that demand.” The country currently gets almost all of its energy from fossil fuels, he said.

Saudi Arabia already burns some 800,000 barrels a day of oil to meet domestic demand. The country expects local power demand to triple over the next two decades and wants to develop more sustainable sources of energy. This looks like the main reason why the country is looking for alternative power source. They found that solar is the most logical choice.

“Moving into renewables for Saudi Arabia is a necessity not a luxury,” John Sfakianakis of Banque Saudi Fransi, said in Riyadh. “Saudi Arabia has oil and the more it uses domestically going forward the less it will have to export for a growing population.” This seems to be the tone of solar experts in the country – have all the oil available for export and search for alternative power source for domestic use.

Saleh Al-Awaji, Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister for electrical power at the Ministry of Water has this rejoinder when he said: “Fuel supply is among the key challenges facing the power sector along with the nation. The policy would be to operate intensely on saving energy and ensuring just about every barrel of oil that can be saved is, and is created readily available for export.”

Saudi Arabia needs the dollars it can generate from export of oil. King Abdullah ordered $103 billion in additional benefits for its citizens, economist John Sfakianakis of Banque Saudi Fransi said last week. The government hopes the increased spending will help prevent unrest sweeping the Middle East from spreading to the kingdom.

The nation sees solar power and other sources as vital for boosting generating capacity by 50 percent in this decade, Abdullah al-Shehri, governor of the Electricity and Co-Generation Regulatory Authority, said in Abu Dhabi on March 28. This will reduce by half the crude and natural gas it burns to generate electricity.

This is the underlying reason why Saudi Arabia is focused on solar – use solar energy for domestic use and sell every drop of oil they produce. For countries hungry for oil, this is a welcome development – more supply is available.


We invite you to visit ourInformative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.


Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed.

Motivations to Go Solar: Perceptions of the Homeowners, Government and Industry Movers

Discovering home solar today should include knowing the motivations of all sectors to adopt solar technology. The knowledge will encourage deeper understanding and appreciation of the real worth of solar as seen by prospective users. This practical information will likewise provide the needed help to beginners as they search for more data on going solar.

What are these motivations? Are these proven helpful in the light of the present situations and experiences? For purposes of clarity, this article will attempt to discuss motivation from the viewpoints of the homeowners, the government and the industry movers.

The homeowners:

1. Financial – Some consumers were motivated by the need for savings in their electrical power expenses which has been on the rise in recent years. With their home solar, they now realized savings ranging from 60 to 80%.
2. Environment – The impact of environmental pollution became real and the world is suffering from its effects. Global warming is now a threat to the life of our planet and they become aware that this is preventable with solar energy.
3. Emergency preparedness – Frequent electrical interruptions due to natural disasters and grid power failure in some areas are causes of loss with spoiling of refrigerated food and discomfort with the loss of hot water and air conditioning.
4. Other benefits – Any one of the following motivated some consumers.
a. Solar increases home value. It also recovers 100% of its cost.
b. Practically maintenance free. They can look forward to up to 25 years of service.
c. Earn money through net metering where the utility grid buys excess electricity from solar producers.
d. Government extends incentives to solar users. Total federal and state incentives lower installation cost by up to 50%.
e. Freedom from unexpected electricity rate increase. Home solar guarantees steady supply of electricity.

The government:

The motivation of the US government is to encourage adoption of solar technology in lieu of fossil power to reduce fossil fuel dependence and pollution in the country.

1. This motivation through the Department of Energy (DOE) has been in the form of providing free education on solar platforms and how to install them on homes, buildings and power plants.
2. Research funding from the DOE/NREL, solar R&D will continue to develop new technologies that are practical, efficient and affordable, and bring them to the public for actual use.
3. To promote solar, DOE through the Solar Decathlon demonstrates to the public the opportunities presented by affordable homes that combine energy-efficient construction and appliances with renewable energy systems that are available today
4. DOE initiated rebate program for consumers to help reduce the cost of purchasing solar.
5. The federal government is now providing solar platform loans as part of mortgage packages through entities such as Fannie Mae and FHA.

The industry movers:

This sector includes associations, research groups, educational institutions, private corporations and non profit organizations. Mainly, their motivation is to encourage solar energy adoption like the government. There are hundreds of members in this sector engaged in research and development, commercial production, promotion and marketing and financing.

These are the prime movers of solar power who have achieved significant gains in promoting and marketing solar in developing countries. They have contributed immensely to the present status of solar and they continue without let up in their work. They have indeed provided the much needed motivation for consumers through out the world.

The motivations which have led countless of homeowners to go solar should be effectively disseminated to see more solar in the different corners of the globe. More work remains to be done.


We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed.

Problems of Going Solar in Developing Countries

Will going solar play an important role in the survival of developing countries? Will it be a long process worth pursuing? A number of non profit organizations exposed for years are still seriously involved in establishing solar in the third world.
They have shown some positive results, but sadly, these were not satisfactory. How far are developing countries from technology transfer? What is the real score?

Looking around and hearing some discordant note from some sectors, there are real problems that hinder solar technology transfer.

The problems of solar energy transfer are classified into 2 categories, namely:

Internal problems of developing countries (technology recipients).

1. Lack of funds and expert manpower to undertake research and development. This is a single problem related to poverty. To compound the problem, there is also lack of locally trained personnel needed for the project. If this problem is not fixed, techno transfer will not prosper.
2. Lack of interest from government officials since the main beneficiaries are the poor people in the rural areas. They are more interested in high profile projects bringing in more profits to the detriment of the poor.
3. Red tape and corruption at some government level slow down even the simplest solar application being introduced. This is one of the complaints of non profit organizations working in some countries. These organizations are forced to work with small local non government organizations (NGO) to implement their projects.
4. Many developing countries do not have the capabilities and information to evaluate which solar technology to import for their needs. Most often, what they have are literature supplied by the manufacturers.

Problems of developed countries (technology leaders and proponents).

1. Developed countries would rather do the research and development and sell the finished products to the third world making them totally dependent. The product will be more expensive and less will be made available to the people. In some instances these are not suited to the needs of the country.
2. Some developed countries view the third world as just a market which would depend on them for their solar needs. The effort is primarily a money making venture discouraging local proponents to produce some parts of the technology. Proof of this is the many multi-billion dollar corporations going into solar research and development because they see the third world as a big market for their products.
3. Technology transfer initiated in the third world are low level projects which can not meet bigger and more sophisticated demands of the many sectors in the country.
4. Big proponents should work out one plan for techno transfer. In the United States for example, there is a different opinion on how to transfer solar. The US Agency for International Development (USAid) favors local planning, research and development, whereas the Department of Energy (DOE) favors export of finished solar energy.

Options open to developing countries

1. The third world can make representations to bargain for easier access to solar technology from developed countries. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has already suggested this to the western governments.
2. The developing countries can pool their technical and capital resources and undertake the project by themselves. Regional cooperation in solar research and development has been discussed in the United Nations. But because of diversities in the developing nations, the countries may never come together.

Solar power is often referred to as “the technology of mankind”. It should be shared and not monopolized. Profit should never be the only motivation when researching and developing the technology. There should be a room for easing the difficulty of the less fortunate.




We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed