A Few Notes on Solar Energy

A few days back I used a news story about a 12 year old who'd invented a more efficient type of solar panel to make a point about software development. But today I want to state a few practical facts about solar energy because I sense that even people who label themselves "pro-environment" or "pro-alternative energy" are ignorant of the true state or value of this remarkable technology.

For example, a myth believed by those who have no practical experience with solar powered devices is that energy is only produced when solar panels are under direct sunlight. The truth is that the reason these cells are also called photovoltaic is precisely that they produce voltage when exposed to photons (light). So even on cloudy days energy is produced, although not at full capacity. This underscores the need for batteries for the panels to provide continuous power. Such an arrangement precludes solar power for energy intensive appliances.


I recall seeing a story on television about an NGO that insisted that the lights, refrigerator and other equipment at a certain African village clinic be completely powered by solar panels — as a condition for their sponsorship I guess. This "solution" caused more troubles than it solved. Refrigerators (which are vital to the operation of clinic in tropical weather) need a lot of wattage, which the solar panels could not supply. A better solution here would have been to set up smart system that would fire up a backup diesel generator whenever the power level fell below a certain watermark.


This brings me to those on the other extreme of solar energy. These are people who will lie and make exaggerated claims to promote solar energy. They do even more damage to the emerging technology's prospects of acceptance because those who have been burned by the misuse of a technology will become its most vicious detractors.

Those wishing to promote solar technology need to tell the truth if they really want to make a difference. And the truth is we really don't need to resort to deception to promote solar power generation. Things are a lot better than many people think.


As someone who has used solar power in my private life, I believe the right approach to solar power is a great boost when used where it would work best. If the solar proposition is good enough, people will be motivated embrace it regardless of whether there is some cache to it, or wether there are tax credits.

For example, installing solar panels on part of the roof of a suburban home could reduce that home's energy bills during the sweltering Summer months —the very time that AC power is needed most on account of the sun itself. This principle could be applied to cars, boats, etc. People will be happy to use solar power as long as it is used within it's limitations and where its practical.

May times I wonder if some of the so-called solar energy promoters really want to turn people off from it — maybe out of elitism, or resentment of consumerism, or whatever.

This is regrettable because solar technology is getting so much better that we might be within range of the day we can perform a lot of key tasks on +90% solar power.

Case in point, it is possible, with current solar technology, to generate a full 50 watts of electricity at 13v using a 25x25-inch solar panel. This would already be enough to reduce the need for car battery power to operate the AC and entertainment console and improve gas mileage somewhat. The price for such a device is between $200 and $300. This might sound like a lot until one considers that car dealerships add such amounts to the price tag for minor accessories like CD players. Imagine if this were an option for you when you went to get your next car. Imagine further if the car in question were a hybrid.
See, there is a lot that solar energy can do for us today if we go about it the right way.

And we are just talking about existing technology. Two inventions from this year make me think that we have seen just the tip of the iceberg.

Back in January, Rice University scientists were able to create a material using carbon nanotubes that could absorb 99.955% of light —the darkest material on earth yet. Solar panels rely on light absorption; so this could boost their efficiency.

To make things even better, twelve-year old William Yuan's invention of 3D solar cells promises to boost solar panel energy output by a factor of 500. The future indeed seems bright. So please, zealots out there, don't get in the way of progress with your misrepresentations. True science needs no propaganda.

Useful Links

1☀ 12-Year-Old May Hold Key to Solar Energy
2☀ 12-year-old Revolutionizes the Solar Cell
3☀ 'Darkest ever' material created
4☀ A Blacker Black: Darkest Known Material Created