Developing nations are commended for a more aggressive stance in the creation of renewable energy programs – predominately solar power – in a report by Worldwatch Institute, an independent research institute dedicated to the analysis of global environmental concerns.
The recent report tells that roughly one-half of all the world’s renewably-generated electricity is coming from developing countries which have joined the bandwagon to decrease demand for fossil fuels.
In November, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference will spotlight solar power technology in addition to solar-powered multi-media. The forum will take place in Durban, South Africa, where governments will confer on environmental trends and climate change. It will young people from Greenpeace Africa, sponsored by the SunPower Foundation, in the study of renewable energy technologies, and culminate with the installation of the solar panels to be showcased at the talks.
Solar Photovoltaics
The program highlights the growing use of solar power, also called solar photovoltaics (PV). This technology utilizes, predominately, crystalline silicon solar cells which, when exposed to sunlight, stimulate movement in electrons. The resulting energy is captured and stored. Solar PV technology is recognized as being one of the most efficient modes of energy both from the standpoint of production of the apparatus necessary to generate energy, and the yield. According to Energy Matters, one of Australia’s leading renewable energy providers, the energy received from one hour of sunlight could power the world for an entire year; and would occupy less than one-half of a percent of the Earth’s land.
Several nations have been quick to respond to demands for increased solar PV. In Germany, legislation two decades ago requiring utility companies to purchase electricity generated from renewable resources (including domestic power systems) at attractive, set rates pushed that nation to become recognized as a beacon in global solar power capacity.
In India, the Prime Minister recently approved funding to further support an initiative begun three years ago, to increase India’s commitment to sustainable growth and a shift to renewable sources of energy.
And in China, the government has invested in becoming the world leader in solar PV equipment, and the development of new technology expected to be even more cost-effective, and efficient. One of the world’s leading consumers of oil and coal, fossil fuels are said to account for 90 percent of China’s current energy use. But under the UNFCCC, the nation has committed to raise its share of non-fossil energy usage over the next decade.
US Lagging
In the U.S. however, several major solar PV manufacturers have filed bankruptcy, due in part to the high initial costs of premium PV equipment and installation: the nation appears to be struggling in its commitment to stimulate the manufacture and use of solar PV. Even so, the government recently announced funding of the SolarStrong project to install solar PV rooftop systems on US military bases. According to US Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu, “This is the largest domestic residential rooftop solar project in history.”
However encouraging news from an Australian National University report indicates the worldwide PV industry has doubled every 20 months over the last decade, and as solar PV installations multiply, the related energy prices will continue to decline.
For now, experts are looking at developing nations and the future generations to lead the way to a brighter future.
“We hope the Greenpeace Solar Training course will inspire local youth to explore solar technology and create renewable solutions for energy needs,” said SunPower Foundation Chairman Doug Richards. Established by SunPower Corporation, an international manufacturer of Solar PV systems, the SunPower Foundation is committed to cultivating “the world’s next generation of solar leaders,” he added, and will host the workshops and installations at the UNFCCC later this year.
