The mass of solar arrays mounted on the International Space Station (ISS) is as big as a football field. All eight arrays provide the ISS with around 110 kW of solar energy. In contrast, solar panels installed on a typical home generate between 2 kW and 6 kW, depending on the system installed. At least 8 square meters of photovoltaic cells are needed to generate 1 kW.
However, there’s more to photovoltaics, i.e. the conversion of solar power to direct current (DC) electricity, than just the size of the solar cells. Distance is a lesser known factor in solar power generation. In the summer time when the sun is more direct we get better solar energy in Vancouver area.
Luckily, you don’t need to be as close to the Sun as the planet Mercury to get the most out of the Sun’s energy. Experts believe that solar energy amounting to 1 kW per square meter on Earth is more than enough to power the planet. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, all the natural reserves of energy on Earth amount to just 20 days of sunshine. Thanks to recent advances and the tremendous potential of this sustainable energy source, the development of solar technology is expected to pick up at an even more rapid pace.
Yet if solar energy has so much potential, then why hasn’t it taken over fossil fuel in terms of production? To put it simply, many nations around the world are still at the development phase of renewable energy, and are consequently still reliant on fossil fuel energy. The transition may be slow, but the outcome is certain. Meanwhile, switching to solar power in Vancouver is as easy as contacting providers like Terratek Energy.
(Article information and image from The Edge of Sunshine, NASA Science News)