Information Systems and Technology Involved With Solar Energy Power

Information Systems and Technology Involved With Solar Energy/Power

Information Systems and Information Technology in Solar Power/Energy & Associated Challenges

Solar energy is the contributor of approximately 94% of the world's energy although at first glance, much of that energy does not appear to be solar in nature. Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, are our most identifiable effort to convert the sun's energy into electricity. They depend on a phenomenon known as the photovoltaic effect, discovered in 1839 by a French teenager. Alexandre Edmond Becquerel, then 19, placed two metal plates in a salt solution and generated an electric current by simply placing his rig in the sun." (Palmer, 2010) Commercial solar cells today are stated to consist of "a layer of silicon mixed with boron, which faces the sun, stacked on top of a layer of silicon mixed with phosphorous. The silicon-phosphorous layer is known as the negative, or n-type hole in their electron layer, yearning to be filled." (Palmer, 2010) Challenges associated with solar energy applications include the need to improve photovoltaic efficiency, as the largest majority of systems that are available are only able to convert 15% of the energy of the sun into electricity. (Palmer, 2010) Additional challenges include those of: (1) timing; and (2) costs. (Palmer, 2010) As well, energy must be stored during the day in order to enable nighttime energy use. High capacity batteries are cited as being extremely expensive and to add only $1 per kilowatt-hour to the cost of solar energy. According to one report, the solar energy is the "fastest growing energy industry in the U.S., employing nearly 100,000 Americans and generating billions of dollars of economic growth for our economy." (Solar Feeds, 2010) The report goes on to relate that the solar industry "will see an aggressive expansion in both capacity and revenue…over the next five years." (Solar Feeds, 2010)

II. Implications of Globalization

It is reported by Bosch that there is an increasing demand for innovative products that "help protect the environment." (The Globalist, 2010) According to the Wall Street Journal solar-generated power in 2006 "accounted for less than 0.1% of the world's electricity supply." (The Globalist, 2010) Leading the world in energy production in 2005 was Germany with total installed photovoltaic capacity of 17.32 watts per capital." (The Globalist, 2010) Coming in second was Japan with 11.13 watts per person followed by Switzerland (3.66), the Netherlands (3.12), Australia (2.97) and Austria (2.93). (The Globalist, 2010) It is reported that China "claims 30 million solar households -- or nearly 60% of the solar capacity installed in the world. (The Globalist, 2010) It is reported that the hurdles that the solar industry faces in its expansion is specifically due to a "chronic shortage of silicon -- the basic material used to convert the sun's rays into electricity." (The Globalist, 2010)