Saturday, May 7, 2011

Solar in Germany: Know why they are the World’s Number 1


Germany is the acknowledged world leader in solar energy. They are into developing of the solar technology through intensive research and development, focused promotion to end users, manufacturing of solar panels and other accessories and building power stations across the country.

As a result, one in a hundred homes has gone as far as installing its own solar arrays. They are a model for countries seriously thinking of going solar.

How did they start?

Some brief historical events that occurred

1. The Oil Embargo of the early 1970s spurred Germany and many governments to think seriously to search for alternative energy sources other than fossil fuel. The energy crises of 1973-74 and 1979-80 which followed brought severe economic impacts and serious energy security concerns.

As a result renewable energy sources particularly solar were researched, developed and promoted as a potential means of alleviating the risks associated with high fossil fuel import dependence.

2. A federal Electricity Law (StrEG Feed) was adopted in 1991. It obligated public utilities to purchase renewably-generated power on a yearly fixed rate basis, based on utilities’ average revenue per kWh.

3. In 1999, the government also introduced the Market Incentive Program (MAP), which offered government grants for the commercialization and deployment of renewable energy systems.

What measures did Germany adopt?

Significant steps they undertook

1. The Federal Electricity Feed Law (StrEG) of 1991 became the most important instrument for the promotion of renewable energy in Germany during the 1990s. It compelled public utilities to purchase renewable-generated power from private producers on a yearly fixed basis. This was designed to encourage homeowners and private business to adopt solar.

2. The government also introduced the Market Incentive Program (MAP) in 1999. It offered government grants totaling 203 million Euro in 2003 for the commercialization and deployment of renewable energy systems.

The German government considers MAP to be one of its most effective current renewable energy promotion programs. This was another inducement by the government to encourage the power consumers to go solar

3. Feed-in Tariff was introduced into the solar industry. Considered the most important market mechanism, the tariff gives producers of solar electricity a guaranteed price for the energy they supply to the grid set for 20 years.

It is considerably higher than the price paid for fossil fuel electricity. It is extended to commercial solar providers such as power stations but also householders who connect their own solar panels to the national grid.

The tariff received by solar producers is even more generous, currently more than double the price of conventional electricity. Germany’s “feed-in tariffs” have made it profitable for businesses as well as individuals to install panels on their roofs or build solar parks.

4. . An additional element of the "feed-in" mechanism is an annual reduction of 5% in the rate set for the next 20 years. So it encourages people to get in early and benefit from a higher 20-year rate, because the rate you start at is the one you keep for the full 20 years.

What is their present state?

After over 4 decades, this is solar Germany.

1. Almost 400,000 homes in Germany, have installed solar panels. One in a hundred homes has gone as far as installing its own solar arrays.

2. The Leipzig Solar Power Station, the heart of Germany’s solar industry, is among the worlds largest covering the equivalent of 200 football pitches and providing enough electricity for 10,000 homes.

3. Last year, about half of the world's solar electricity was produced in the country. Of the 20 biggest photovoltaic plants, 15 are in Germany.

4. Germany plans to slash subsidies paid to households generating electricity by up to 15 percent, six months earlier than planned.

5. Germany has temporarily shut down seven of its nuclear reactors. The country stands alone among the world’s leading industrialized nations in its determination to abandon nuclear energy. Currently, nuclear energy accounts for 23 percent of German energy and renewable energies supply 16 percent.

Future prospects

1. Germany could derive all its energy from renewable by 2050. The European Union has targeted 20% renewable energy utilization by its members by 2020. Germany is already more than half way there.

2. Industry experts say that renewable energies would be able to cover 47 percent of German energy demand by 2020.

3. There is a massive surge in residential solar panels in Germany fueled by consumer demand for small-scale solar power projects.

Germany showed the government’s determined effort to find an alternative source of power. Solar had been identified and they went all out for it – research, development, promotion and adoption through significant incentives to business and end consumers, production and establishment of solar plants.

Above all these, the welfare of the environment had been one of the prime concerns of Germany. They provide a model worth emulating.

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

Monday, May 2, 2011

Off Grid Solar System for Hospitals: A Critical Need of Third World Countries


Off grid solar system provides electrical power to remote hospitals in third world countries for sustainable day to day operation. Many industrialized countries saw this urgent need and have responded very positively.

Developing countries have received many aids from non profit organizations and government agencies of highly developed countries. The aids came in various forms like food, medicine; infrastructures, etc for a better life. Solar power helps in the preservation of life itself in a sustainable way.

It all comes down to - no electrical power, no hospital. While there is other off grid sources like diesel generators, solar is the outstanding choice because it only needs sunlight to keep it running.

Hospitals are a big financial burden to local government. With the availability of independent solar power and the savings from its operation, more clinics and small hospitals can be built in rural areas.

Why Off Grid Solar is urgently needed

Rural areas are always not reached by utility grid lines and putting one is almost impossible. The absence of electricity will mean no clinic and hospital at all.

People are left to fend for themselves and most often they go to quack doctors for their medical needs. Those with more serious afflictions, have to travel 10 to 15 hours to see a doctor and oftentimes medical intervention may be too late to save the patients.

No wonder mortality rate for children and adults is high. Lives could be saved if only hospitals are within the area and it is for this reason that solar energy is a critical need.

Off grid solar system is an ideal source of energy with a service life of up to 30 years. Its fuel from the sun is free. Fossil fueled generators would require oil to run it and with the attendant problem of high acquisition cost and difficulty of transportation from the urban centers, this electricity source will prove more expensive in the long run.

Basic needs of rural hospitals meet by solar

1. For refrigeration and heating
2. For kitchen appliances
3. For the hospital laundry and sterilization of medical apparatus
4. For lighting and support of communication facilities.

The problems

1. The World Health Organization on Extended Program of Immunization (WHO/EPI) identified that one of the technical problems is unstable quality of the components. WHO/EPI outlined rigid technical standards for the purchase of solar system components.

2. One major obstacle is the high capital cost. In the past, the solar panels were the most costly part. Nowadays, roughly equal amounts of capital are needed for the batteries and the solar panels. The advances in conversion efficiency and reduction of production cost have started to bring down the cost of the system.

3. Adding to the cost are transportation and the labor expenses necessary to install and maintain the systems in remote areas.

4. The lack of skilled manpower is a serious obstacle to the use of off grid solar system. Most technicians and users are not yet thoroughly familiar to handle the system. Frequent misdiagnosis of technical problems is an additional cost factor.

Conditions ideal for System adoption

1. The hospital has no economical power supply available as a public utility.

2. Other decentralized electricity sources such as diesel generators involve high operating costs, or the reliability of fuel supplies is questionable.

3. There must be qualified technicians who are familiar with the technology of off grid solar systems and their maintenance.

Foundations helping remote hospitals with solar power:

1. Worthy of mention is the work of Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF). It is an independent not-for-profit organization that designs and implements sustainable energy solutions for enhancements in health, education, agriculture and economic growth in the developing world.

In many of the countries in which SELF works, there is no other organization undertaking a similar, independent role in providing power to villages without existing resources.

2. We Care Solar is a U.S.-based non-profit organization that helps hospitals in developing regions by providing health workers with reliable lighting, blood bank refrigeration and mobile communication using solar electricity.

3. African Solar Electric Light Foundation (ASELF)improves the daily lives of children and adults by providing clean and healthy lighting. They distribute environmentally friendly, solar Systems around the world, replacing dangerous and polluting kerosene lamps.

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.