Solar energy—Sweet spot?
solar energy in the most recent energy bill and is expected to extend its incentive
(2008). Countries like Germany, Japan,
Solar ener
program for renewable energy (during a
Spain and Australia are the vanguard in congress meeting in August, 2008). Taiwan’s
implementing solar cell energy.
the viable r
gy is one of
government has also designated solar
With a small economics to start, solar
ener
energy (and LED) as a strategic industry,
energy provides ample growth opportunity gy paths. Y
ene
w
able committing to increasing its production
in business and in technology. The consensus
ener
gy is less than 0.
e
t solar
capacity, subsidizing manufacturers’ R&D
on anticipated growth rate falls around
of the w
and offering incentives to consumers who
25 to 50 percent, varying with geographic use solar panel energy. Among the U.S.
locations and other factors. Technology
supply
orld’s electricity
1%
advancement to increase the photovoltaic
.
corporations and institutions, Google
announced their investment in renewable
solar energy conversion efficiency and to energy, establishing an R&D group, and
decrease the usage cost will continue to be Intel also is investing in multiple solar
the thrust for future deployment of solar energy development.
energy. With global energy activities, what are
The sun’s energy has been used through the resulting geopolitical ramifications?
occupies the majority of commercial
different technological approaches: In a nutshell, energy is the racing game
applications.
• Photovoltaics of technology and deployment, which is
Solar energy in heating and cooling and
• Solar heating, where collectors a sweet spot in global competitiveness.
other vehicle electronics—sensors, computers,
absorb the sun’s energy to provide Photovoltaic electricity is the story of the
electric motors—also contribute to future
low-temperature heat (such as for power play of atoms, the energy conversion
fuel-efficient military and commercial
swimming pools) of photons and the free path of electrons.
vehicles.
• Solar lighting, where collectors As to solar energy, no country can capture
On the global stage, it is generally
focus light into a fiber optic system another country’s photons, which is the
viewed that the lower the ratio of a coun-
to illuminate buildings sweet spot.
try’s energy consumption to gross domestic
• Concentrating solar systems, which
product (GDP), the lower the cost of the
use reflective materials that concen-
tradeoff between inflation and GDP loss.
trate the sun’s heat energy to drive a
Oil imports account for two-thirds of ging
generator that produces electricity
U.S. oil consumption. Higher U.S. oil
• Other sunlight concentrating

imports not only enhance OPEC’s mo-
technologies
Among the emer
nopoly power, they also have a deleterious
• Other technological paths
long-term impact on the U.S. economy.
t
ec
hnologies solar yment
Within photovoltaics, the scientific
Future energy portfolios will be
principle for solar cells is straightforward.
ener
gy’s deplo
es.
concocted by availability, supply stability,
When the sunlight shines on the semi-
price stability, affordability, sustainability
t
ak
es bold initiativ
es ar
e
conductor solar panel, the light can be re-
and security. With or without the energy-
flected, pass through or be absorbed. The
The global initiativ
independent and carbon-free ideals, with
absorbed sunlight (photons) by the solar
and without government’s incentive stimu-
bur
geoning.
panel is converted to electrons in the atom
lus, the strategy and action to meet future
structure of the semiconductor of the solar
energy demand can only be accomplished
cell material, resulting in electrical current
by the combined strategies of energy
in an electrical circuit.
conservation, energy diversification (fossil
It is a photon-electron conversion. But
fuel, alternative energy and renewable Dr. Jennie S. Hwang is inducted to the
the conversion efficiency, thus economics,
energy) and technological advancement. WIT International Hall of Fame, elected
calls for ever-continuing technological
Among the emerging technologies, in to the National Academy of Engineer-
breakthroughs.
ostentatious nature and in obscurity, solar ing, and named an R&D-Stars-to-Watch
In application, a solar panel consists
energy’s deployment takes bold initiatives. (Industry Week). She is a member of the
of several major components and steps:
The global initiatives are burgeoning. U.S. Commerce Department’s Export
making solar cells, assembling modules,
China’s government has pledged $100B Council, and serves on the board of
connecting arrays and installing systems.
allotments on renewable energy to make Fortune 500 NYSE companies and civic
Manifold supporting technologies, products
renewable energy account for 15% of total and university boards. She has served on
and services, ranging from materials to
energy supply by 2020. The EU is driven National Research Council’s “Global-
equipment to testing and measurements,
by its goal to increase renewable energy ization Committee” and “ Forecasting
are also the central part of the industry.
penetration in the region of 27 member Emerging, Disruptive Technologies
Overall, photovoltaics rely on the power
states to 19% by 2010. Germany, a leader Committee”, among others. In addition
play of the atom, the relentless energy of
in solar cell energy use, is encouraged by to technical publications, she is an inter-
photons and the free path of electrons.
the government’s goal to increase 100 national speaker and author on trade,
Today, photovoltaic cell technology can
MW/yr and incentives to build plants business, education, and social issues
be grouped into three generations: thick
producing solar energy products. Japan, (www.JennieHwang.com). Contact her
film/ bulk polycrystalline silicon, thin
another leader in PV technology, set appli- at (216) 839-1000; e-mail
film/amorphous silicon or other substrates,
cation targets of an increase in PV electric- JennieHwang@aol.com.
and nano-based or organic cells. At the
ity generation by 400MW/yr through 2010
time of this writing, the first generation
www.globalsolartechnology.com Global Solar Technology – September/October 2008 – 7
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