Solar Energy Explained

‍

Solar energy is a sustainable power source that has the potential to adequately supply our global energy needs. It can be harnessed through several methods, with the option of storing excess power that is produced. South Africa and India are two countries pursuing a renewable future with solar energy as their core player.

What is solar energy?

Solar energy is first created through the process of nuclear fusion in the sun. Protons of hydrogen atoms collide in the sun’s core, fusing to form helium atoms. The energy generated from this process can be harnessed and converted into useful energy sources such as electrical or thermal.

If harnessed effectively, solar energy could satisfy our global energy needs. Not only is it abundant, it is also renewable and clean, making it a sustainable option for the future.

How is solar energy harnessed?

There are several methods that can be used to convert the sun’s light into usable energy. These approaches are in the form of either active solar energy, which involves using electrical or mechanical devices to convert energy, or passive solar energy, which takes advantage of the local climate, to heat structures during winter and to reflect heat onto a dedicated surface during summer. Two designs that are most common include:

1. Photovoltaics (PV)

PV systems are employed to convert the sun’s energy into functional energy. PV cells are what make up solar panels. Solar panels can be arranged to form large power plants as well as smaller-scale installations. Solar systems are generally referred to as ground- or roof-mounted depending on the site characteristics and restrictions.

2. Concentrated solar power (CSP)

Lenses and mirrors are set up to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto a focal point, or a receiver. The accumulated thermal energy warms a non-toxic fluid in the receiver that can heat water to generate steam used for energy conversions, or it can generate electricity through a solar furnace. Solar cookers are a small-scale CSP technology, which can be used in homes to boil water for sanitation or cooking.

A key advantage of CSP is that heat can be stored in molten salts, making it possible to produce electricity after the sun has set. These molten salts can be heated and cooled every day for about 30 years, before requiring replacement.

Over the past decade, the average solar generation capacity has seen a steady increase the world over. The levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of solar power is decreasing, which has played a large role in the global rise in solar generation capacity. This presents a promising future for these technologies and their development and adoption.

‍

‍

Storing solar energy

On cloudy days, when irradiation levels are low, or at night, when solar power production is lower or altogether halted, it benefits individuals and companies to have a method of storing the excess power generated during high-production periods. The stored energy can also be useful during planned or unexpected power outages.

Without a storage method, any surplus energy produced by your system will be fed back into the grid, where it can be of no benefit to you. In some countries, the stored energy can be sold back to the grid, bringing in an extra source of income. In South Africa where load shedding (cutting the power supply to compensate for a sudden increase in electric power demand) is a long-term problem, battery storage is a solution for greater energy independence.

PV cells can be paired with batteries, which have varying capacities suited to different energy needs. The most popular form of solar battery on the market is a lithium-ion battery, which can store more energy for extended periods of time compared to other batteries, like lead-acid batteries. Its Depth of Discharge is greater, meaning that a high percentage of the battery’s capacity can be used before it needs to be recharged. candi solar optimises battery solutions in terms of price, critical demand, and customer requirements such as carbon neutrality or grid independence.

How South Africa is embracing solar energy

PV cells can be paired with batteries, which have varying capacities suited to different energy needs. The most popular form of solar battery on the market is a lithium-ion battery, which can store more energy for extended periods of time compared to other batteries, like lead-acid batteries. Its Depth of Discharge is greater, meaning that a high percentage of the battery’s capacity can be used before it needs to be recharged. candi solar optimises battery solutions in terms of price, critical demand, and customer requirements such as carbon neutrality or grid independence.

The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Program (REIPPP) was introduced in 2011 and was aimed at adding megawatts to the country’s electricity network through private investments in renewable energy systems. Overall, the program has yielded promising results, with a generation of 64 new renewable independent power producers (IPPs) and an installed capacity for utility-scale PV reaching 2.37GW in May 2022.

According to Global Data, South Africa ranks as the fourth largest solar thermal power market. Local tax incentives for companies with solar power systems, as well as plans to introduce feed-in tariffs are encouraging the continued installation of solar power. These incentives, combined with encouraging policies and buy-in from local businesses, will drive the solar power market in South Africa to new heights.

‍

India’s adoption of solar energy

India, too, has a rapidly growing market for solar energy production and has particularly capitalised on photovoltaics. The country ranks third in the world for solar PV capacity, with a total installed solar capacity of 49.34GW as of 31 December 2021. The government has implemented several policies that support the continued increase in solar power production across the nation.

India’s path towards a renewable future is necessary for combatting the effects of the country’s heat waves and power outages, which affect those living in rural areas the most. In its course, the government is committed to supplying as many individual households with electricity as possible, as well as powering essential infrastructure, like transport systems.

According to The World Bank, India’s pioneering moves in realising a renewable world offers many lessons to countries across the world and may inspire real change.

candi solar is passionate about actualising a renewable world through solar energy in the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector. candi strives to help businesses grow their energy independence and reduce their ecological footprint through our unique solar solutions. The associated risks involved in installation and maintenance are taken on by candi, allowing you to only pay for what the system produces over an agreed period. To find out how candi could help your business with energy independence, contact us today for a consultation.

‍

‍

‍