Date: September 18, 2007
Author: Dave Jarvis
Most people know that sunlight can make electricity using a solar cell, and that a solar panel is many solar cells working together.
While the idea of solar power is well known, some lesser known facts include:
The Canadian dollar is rising. Our economy is diamond-strong. Our country is rich in natural resources. Canadians are resourceful, intelligent, driven, friendly, and some of the most environmentally aware people on the planet. We are unencumbered by war, and our national debt continues to shrink.
There is an amazing opportunity waiting on our doorstep. An opportunity to improve the quality of life in Canada, and around the world. An opportunity to help reduce global pollution. Unfortunately, in 2001, Canada was almost the most frugal amongst 17 countries that reported a solar technology budget.
Canada can still become the world's Energy Liberator.
If the United States of America were to invest the money it spent on the
Iraq War ($452,673,414,399) on solar-based energy solutions, they could have
met 6% of their annual
energy needsEnergy Used (2004) = 3717000000000 kWh per year
Annual Energy per Panel = 1.35 kWh per day * 365 days = 492.75 kWh
Cost per Panel = $1000
Iraq War = 452673414 Panels
Annual Panel Energy = 452673414 * 492.75 kWh = 223054824748 kWh
Percentage = (223054824748 kWh / 3717000000000 kWh) * 100 = 6%
.
The United States has more than enough rooftop space available for solar
panels to meet their electrical needs twice over. Their planned military
budget during the next five years is $2.75 trillion ($2,750,000,000,000),
or 36% of their electrical usageEnergy Used (2004) = 3717000000000 kWh per year
Annual Energy per Panel = 1.35 kWh per day * 365 days = 492.75 kWh
Cost per Panel = $1000
Military Budget = 2750000000 Panels
Panel Energy = 2750000000 * 492.75 kWh = 1355062500000 kWh
Percentage = (1355062500000 kWh / 3717000000000 kWh) * 100 = 36%
if spent, instead, on solar panels.
While the United States is our most obvious candidate for sales, Europe and China are struggling to satisify their own electrical demands. Related news from China is not good: over 350,000 lives lost per year from outdoor air pollution.
The possibilities of solar power are clear to anyone who has thought about a world with cheap electricity. Consider how much money is spent (and often wasted) on the electrical needs of schools, hospitals, government offices, commerical buildings, and residences.
Q: What if instead of paying electrical bills, schools could pay teachers higher wages?
A: Teachers may feel more valued and quality of education would increase.Q: What if hospital bills could be reduced by their electricity savings?
A: Medical treatment would be less expensive; good doctors may be more inclined to stay in Canada.Q: What if taxes spent on government phones, computers, lights, elevators, and heating could remain in our pockets?
A: The cost of living would decrease, and the quality of life would increase.Q: What if the costs of producing and delivering food dropped?
A: People could eat healthier meals.Q: What if your own electricity bill was dramatically reduced?
A: Imagine an extra several hundred dollars a year to save or spend.
Canadians should be asking, "How can Canada become the world leader in solar technology?"
The answer has four parts:
As large corporations, government offices, hospitals, schools, and military buildings use the most electricity, they should be first on the list to transition to solar power.
This has a few advantages. First, these instutitions have the funds to pay for solar panels. Second, they tend to use the most electricity (and hence are the biggest cause of pollution). Third, empowering them with solar panels will lower the cost of manufacturing and installation for residential buildings. Fourth, it would allow for standard sizes and modular panels, which may permit swapping of higher efficiency panels developed in the future.
The Canadian Government can give tax breaks to companies looking to produce high-energy, low-cost solar technologies. The Government can also provide funding for companies in the solar field. The National Research Council could drive innovation by awarding scholarships to students who show interest and promise in solar technologies. Those students would be likely candidates to contribute to manufacturing state-of-the-art solar cells.
The high cost of purchase and installation of solar panels can be prohibitive for most people (from $3,000 for low-end solar power to $20,000 for a high-energy setup).
Free installation for residential and commercial properties is key.
Power companies (or the government, or private companies) should install the solar panels for free. The owner of the building would continue to pay for electricity at the same rate. Eventually the solar panels will have paid themselves. At that time, the owner of the building will have a significantly reduced electrical bill.
Although solar panels are often guaranteed for 10 to 25 years, the burden of maintaining the vast number of solar panels cannot be taken lightly.
A simple solution would have the power companies pay third parties to handle fixing solar panel problems when they arise.