What critics of solar energy fail to realize is that its growth is being matched by technology that reduces its necessity.
A generation ago, when Steve Roberts launched his ride across America, even a “portable” PC like my Kaypro had to be plugged into the wall. Today you can get infinitely more computing power in an iPhone, and while thin film solar systems may offer just at trickle of charge, it can be enough.
All sorts of Moore's Law miracles are also accompanied by lower power requirements. Modern cellular systems ride on Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) that deliver more-and-more bandwidth with less-and-less power every year. In American cities we see this reflected best in WiFi, which is 10 times faster than it was a decade ago.
Combine these small miracles in the African bush and you get a big one. The trickle of power from a thin film panel is enough to bring LED light into the darkness, and deliver 21st century communications. Consider that 85% of Kenyans live “off the grid,” along with half of humanity. Solar trickles can double the participation in civilized life.
Simple advances for poorer countries are leading to solar powered stoves and conventional stoves that use less wood and reduce pollution, products of science set into overdrive by more computing power being available to more people.
Or look up. Solar-powered planes can now stay aloft indefinitely, and will soon be able to fly around the world. Drones can now maintain constant communications in a disaster zone, or in a war zone. Pretty miraculous.
These are just two small trends I want to pay attention to as 2011 opens. We tend to focus here on “western” units of power, on renewable energy systems capable of scaling to the current grid. We worry too much about the “economic feasibility” of such systems against fossil fuels or nuclear power.
What we should be doing is looking at how small technology miracles are transforming our world every single day, using what power we can harvest.
That's the cure for depression.
I believe that solar panels are an excellent way to provide clean, green and renewable energy to power a wide variety of devices. The power from solar panels is strong, reliable and easy to maintain. And on top of that it is also good for our environment. And like you said, you cut down your energy bill by installing a few solar panels quite easily!
Thanks for sharing this useful information.
I believe that solar panels are an excellent way to provide clean, green and renewable energy to power a wide variety of devices. The power from solar panels is strong, reliable and easy to maintain. And on top of that it is also good for our environment. And like you said, you cut down your energy bill by installing a few solar panels quite easily!
Thanks for sharing this useful information.
hi, thanks for this very enlightening post. I myself is an avid fan of solar energy. You could say I’m crazy about. I am frequently asked about How Does Solar Energy Work? Of course, I give them as much information as I could, but it’s really sad that many people neglect to realize the miracle happening to them everyday. I hope this changes soon, though.
hi, thanks for this very enlightening post. I myself is an avid fan of solar energy. You could say I’m crazy about. I am frequently asked about How Does Solar Energy Work? Of course, I give them as much information as I could, but it’s really sad that many people neglect to realize the miracle happening to them everyday. I hope this changes soon, though.