Solar Power

What is Solar Power?

Solar power is the conversion of renewable energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), indirectly using concentrated solar power, or a combination.

Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and solar tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaic cells convert light into an electric current using the photovoltaic effect.

Where did this technology come from?

Solar energy has been used as early as the 7th century BC – when we made use of magnifying materials to manipulate sunlight for combustion.

If you want to be precise, you could say that ancient bacteria first discovered solar energy. Around 2.3 billion years ago, it was thought that the first-ever microbe developed the capability for photosynthesis, which, as you know, is caused by the sun. Ironically, this photosynthesis also led to a devastating environmental catastrophe known as the Great Oxygenation Event. It was caused by the emission of oxygen gas as a byproduct of photosynthesis. While these first solar-powered organisms inadvertently triggered a mass extinction, solar power today could hold the key to preventing a planetary crisis: global warming. Fascinating, isn’t it?

Another early known use of solar energy, which is still popular today, was the notion of “sunrooms”. These sunrooms were installed in buildings by using enormous windows to direct sunlight into a single concentrated area. It is understood that some of the iconic Roman bathhouses, usually located on the south-facing side of buildings, were sunrooms. Later in 1200 AD, ancestors to the Pueblo Native Americans (known as the Anasazi) situated themselves in south-facing cliff dwellings to catch the sun’s warmth during the cold winter season.

Skipping onto the late 1700s and 1800s, researchers and scientists found some success in using sunlight to power ovens for long voyages. They also managed to exploit the power of the sun to generate solar-powered steamboats. At the end of the day, it is evident that centuries before the modern solar panel era, the concept of using the power of the sun has been common practice throughout human history.

Many scientists have contributed to the development of solar panel technology, and it continues to be a group effort. There has been a lot of debate over when solar panels were created and who should be attributed for their invention. Some feel credit for the solar cell invention should go to the French scientist Edmond Becquerel. He determined that light could increase electricity generation when two metal electrodes were placed into a conducting solution. Edmond Becquerel’s breakthrough, known as the “photovoltaic effect”, hugely influenced PV advancements using selenium (a metalloid element).

In 1873, Willoughby Smith then discovered that selenium had photoconductive potential. This led to Richard Evans Day’s and William Grylls Adams’ discovery in 1876 that selenium creates electricity when exposed to sunlight. Charles Fritts then used this research to produce the first solar cells made from selenium wafers in 1883. For these reasons, some historians credit Charles Fritts for having invented solar cells.

The solar cells we know today are not made with selenium, but rather with silicon. Therefore, some argue the invention of solar panels should be linked to Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson. In 1954, this team of scientists created silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells at Bell Labs. There is popular contention that the event at Bell Labs marks the true invention of PV technology. It was the first time solar technology was used to power an electric device for an extended period. So, the question of who invented solar panels often comes down to personal opinion.

How does it work?

Solar Panels

1. When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel.

2. This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.

Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power(CSP)

1. Mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect solar energy and convert it to heat.

2. It is used later to produce electricity or stored for later use. It is used primarily in very large power plants.

What are the benefits of Solar Power?

Slow down climate change

• Toxic gases produced during the generation of electricity enhance the greenhouse effect, not to mention air pollution. The greenhouse effect takes place when the earth’s surface is warmed to high temperatures.

• Meanwhile, solar power does not release any harmful greenhouse gases.

Reduces Reliance On Fossil Fuels

• Installing the proper solar panels in size and energy production means that your home can run without regular electricity. Automatically the demand for electricity goes down; hence, the fear of fossils running out is reduced.

• Fossils may be in high supply or availability today, but one day, they may run out. What happens then? If everyone can install solar panels, then the dependence of fossil fuels will be cut down and the dangers it posses too.

Zero Energy Cost

• Solar does not need outside supply, attachment, or support to work. Its maintenance and energy production costs stand at zero.

• The only cost you incur is when you purchase your panels and installing them. You can invest in power-saving batteries, an inverter to save energy for later use like at night. It takes years to do maintenance on the panels.

Less Energy Lost During Distance Transportation

• Regular electricity is produced then supplied to substations. It is further distributed to customers, some of whom are far away from the substation.During this process, some energy is lost. It may be little per supply, but it amounts to much when as supplied to many.

• Solar energy is harnessed easily and used directly from the source. Its transportation is within the source, minimizing distance covered and energy loss of any kind.

Economic Savings

• Since solar energy is harnessed from nature, which is the sun, the costs of production, distribution, and maintenance are greatly reduced.

• After your initial installation, which must be done well to ensure maximum output and efficiency, you have no more bills to settle — only an unlimited supply of clean power.

Examples in Malaysia and other countries

In Malaysia, there are many companies that build and maintain solar farms. One of the most notable players is Solarvest and TnB.

According to Solarvest, they are making Large Scale Solar Farms. Large Scale Solar is a scheme that lets you generate your own electricity via solar photovoltaic (PV) farm (a.k.a utility-scale solar) with installed capacity ranging from 1MW to <30MW (for distribution connected solar PV plants), and sell to the grid. This scheme is administered by the Energy Commission and the selection for potential developers will be to through competitive bidding.

Alternatively, with a utility-scale solar plant, you can participate in New Enhanced Dispatch Arrangement (NEDA) program which allows you to operate as Merchant Generators to sell energy to the Single Buyer.

Referring to the picture above, is one of these farms at Gurun, Kedah.

This is Solarvest largest solar farm, producing up to 65MWp.

In 2019, Malaysia registered an installed capacity of solar energy of 882MW, and is forecasted to reach 4GW by 2030. An accumulation of such energy capacity is largely represented by solar farms – large scale solar power plants, a growing amenity globally as an alternative source of electricity generation and renewable energy. The possibilities of expanding such large-scale solar farms are vast and far-reaching, with many studies exploring its feasibility to host a large portion of residential and commercial consumption. Within Malaysia, the government has undoubtedly recognised the potential of large-scale solar farm (LSS) projects in supporting the national electricity grid, on top of its contribution as an environment-friendly source of energy. In line with that, it has – through the Energy Commission Malaysia (EC) – rolled out a large-scale solar (LSS) programme that lets you generate your own electricity (capped between an installable capacity ranging 1MW to <50 MW) from the solar farm, and then sell it to the TNB grid.

Moving to other countries, Currently China, India, and the US produce the majority of the global solar power, with the Middle East coming on strong. Growth is booming — especially in the deserts of Asia and the Middle East, where huge solar farms are in the process of being built and expanded. For example:

1. Tengger Desert Solar Park

• The Zhongwei power supply company, Tengger Desert Solar Park, is located in Zhongwei, Ningxia, China.

• At present, it is the biggest solar plant and the largest solar energy generator.

• Owned by the Zhongwei Power Supply Company and China National Grid, the Tengger solar system supplies energy to over 600,000 homes.

• Photovoltaic panels spread over an area of 43 km2 generating about 1540 MW of electricity.

• Tengger desert solar park started electricity production at full capacity in 2016.

2. Bhadla Solar Park, India

• The Bhadla solar park in Bhadla covers an area of 40 km2.

• This solar power plant is projected to generate 2250 MW of electricity.

• At present, Bhadla solar park has a power generation capacity of 1510 MW.

3. Shakti Sthala Pavagada Solar Park

• The Pavagada solar park is in the Tumakuru district of Karnataka in India.

• It is developed by the Indian National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the Karnataka Solar Park Development Corporation Limited (KSPDCL).

• Its installed capacity is a whopping 2000 MW.

• It’s built on an area of 52.5 square kilometers covering 5 villages.

• After facing years of drought conditions, 2300 farmers rented their lands and built this huge solar park.

4. Noor Abu Dhabi

• A solar photovoltaic power plant was built in Suwaihan, in the United Arab Emirates.

• Built over 8 square kilometers of land, it is projected to generate 1170 MW of electricity.

• It has 3.2 million solar panels installed.

5. Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, India

• Kurnool ultra mega solar park is located in Andhra Pradesh.

• It’s built on arid land.

• The solar energy corporation covers an area of 23 km2 and generates 1000 megawatts of electricity.

• The ultra mega solar park has over four million solar panels installed.

• Electricity generated by this solar park on a bright day is +/- 8 million kWh.

6. Datong Solar Power Top Runner Base, China

• Shaped like a giant panda, the Datong solar power plant will be built in 3 phases.

• In the 1st phase, the solar farm covers 1 km2 and generated 50 MW of electricity in 2017.

• The Panda Solar Power Plant installed capacity generates 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours (1000 MW) of electricity.

• In its final phase, it will cover an area of about 6 square kilometers.

7. Longyangxia Dam Solar Park, China

• Longyangxia generates 850 MW of electricity.

• This solar power plant covers an area of 25 square kilometers.

• It consists of four million solar panels.

• The farm is found in the Qinghai province.

8. Villanueva Solar Park, Mexico

• One of the biggest solar power plants in the world is in Coahuila, Mexico.

• It consists of 2.3 million solar panels over a land area of 12 Km2.

• This is the largest solar plant after those in China and India.

• The panels in this farm move along with the movement of the sun to get maximum light.

• The photovoltaic plant in Viesca, Coahuila, can generate up to 828 MW of electricity.

• Once completed, the facility will be able to generate 1700 GWh/year.

9. Rewa Ultra Mega Solar, India

• This solar farm is situated in the Gurh administrative unit of Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh, India.

• This plant can produce 750 MW of electricity.

• Its total area is about 7 km2.

• The Delhi metro rail receives energy from this solar plant as a part of its green initiative.

• This also is the first locomotive in the world to be 100% running on a sustainable resource.

10. Charanka Solar Park, India

• Charanka Solar Park is situated in Charanka village, in the Patan district of Gujarat, India.

• It’s built on arid land.

• Its total capacity is estimated at 790 MW.

Personal Note

We know that climate change has made us rethink at how we use our energy.

Moving forward, community solar projects, utility-scale solar projects and rooftop solar will all be part of the renewable energy solution providing clean energy for Malaysia and replacing fossil fuel power.

Large-scale solar will continue to get cheaper as developers of solar farms find more ways to reduce financing costs and equipment costs keep coming down. Expect to see many more solar farms, and even bigger ones, in the near future.