Science Americans September 2006’s issues explored how energy production is going to change after the carbon period through solar cells and other means.
According to the editors, it was said that it would take years for diesel-powered to be lowered in value and become obsolete and hydrogen-powered trucks to take their place. Till then, we would have to manage somehow.
The question is why energy technology takes years to reach Consumers from labs and commercial adaptations. Let’s take solar panels, e.g. Even instructional solar-powered kits cost £20 in London’s high-street electronics devices stores. And it costs £ 2500 in DIY superstores to buy roof-dwelling photovoltaic panels that can be used in houses to power equipment.
Either people passionate or wealthy can afford such a luxury. A lot of consumers just wouldn’t opt for such an innovation.
Power of solar cells
It was recently when solar panels appeared in retail outlets. Since they are recent innovations, some flaws are a bit forgivable.
The circuit of the battery charger running on solar power was the idea of D. Bollen.
According to him, sunlight converting directly into electrical energy was working well in satellite applications.
The solar battery is advantageous as even in areas with no access to power supply, they can run without supervision. It allows/ enables a lot of potential of dependability on them. (Wireless world : 343)
To explain how solar cells can trickle charge a battery, Bollen created an incredibly detailed four paged document.
The simplicity of the circuit
According to Bollen, A device consuming one milliamp of current could run for 2.74 hours in 24 hours through this circuit.
But the question was what practical application would require such a small amount of current. It could only power a toy torch’s bulb and that too for only a few seconds per day.
This circuit was made around 1966. Though Bollen mentioned a complex thing such as a satellite, that doesn’t mean the circuit was complex. In fact, it involved no rocket science. It was so simple that be it a newbie or electronic expert, anyone could build it. Even a complete beginner could assemble the circuit in under 15 minutes.
And all parts are readily available in southeast England and London’s professional suppliers.
World-first car powered by solar cells
To enquire further, I looked for some solar experts.
The International Rectifier is a listed provider for silicon cells and assorted selenium.
I called the company to know that when Bollen created the circuit, what would have been the estimated cost of solar panels.
Even in 1966, it cost around $4 for a solar cell with 1*2 centimeters dimensions. Bollen experimented with different combinations of solar cells in the circuit. They range from 1-4 solar cells. So total cost fell between $4-16 for the circuit’s expensive parts. In today’s time, it would amount to $25-100.
Apart from the cost International Rectifier told me one more thing. Compared to the cost information, I found it more interesting.
They told me that the world’s first solar-powered car was assembled/developed by them. They took the 1912 model of Baker electric and transformed it into a solar-powered car. And it was shocking to know all of this was done in such an early time of 1958.
They achieved it by taking many solar cells and creating a 2 meter by a 1-meter-high photovoltaic panel.
This way, International Rectifier attracted a lot of commercial and military clients.
Why solar panels took 50 years to reach our retail outlets.
An answer to this was given by South Face- a USA-based sustainable living organization. According to them, in the 90s, there was a drop in the price of fossil fuels, and solar cell technology is still competing with that.
Since countries like Japan are getting a considerable amount of order of solar cells system, South Face thinks and hopes large economies will begin a new era where solar cells are benefitted, and they bloom.
Additionally, they said in the meantime; nobody can guess when our energy issues are going to be resolved by a revolution of consumer-led innovation.
According to him, we should forgive solar panels since they are a new technology that has only recently appeared in retail outlets.
© Alistair Siddons, 2006.
So, therefore, even in the current time in DIY superstores, it costs £ 2500 for roof dwelling solar panels.
Conclusion
D. Bollen, in 1966, observed that the concept of generating electrical energy from direct sunlight was working well in satellites. Therefore, he created a simple circuit. To explain that, he created a four pages document comprising of detailed illustrations. Such a circuit used solar cells to trickle charge a battery. Using this International Rectifier made the world’s first solar-powered car in 1958. It used a lot of solar cells to create 2 meters by 1-meter-high output solar panels. Solar panels have only recently become available in retail outlets and still cost around £2500. Maybe because of the fall of fossil fuel prices in the 90s. But the future seems bright and are chances for its usage to bloom and become more widespread.
ZAR
Response Magic