No linked challenges.
Solar-powered future
The power grid could be dominated by solar energy within 10 years time
Solar power is the Earth’s most available energy source turning sunlight into electricity. The installation costs have been the most significant problem with the solar power so far, but the cost are decreasing and perhaps during the next 10 years solar electrical power could be used with the same or even less price than electrical power provided by coal.
Solar-powered future will be reality within 10 years time. Then homes could run on electricity that has been generated by solar panels during daytime, and the edges of windows could collect sunlight which would be converted to electricity. In this scenario buildings are producing most – if not all – the energy they require. Then it would be possible, for the first time, to storage solar-generated electrical energy at home for a reasonable cost.
With "concentrator" photovoltaic cells we get more energy from the same amount of sunlight. The technique is based on the use of internal mirrors and optics. In the future solar cells could be added to shirts and sweaters, and iPods and cell phones will get their power from our clothing
It is necessary to reduce the energy consumption, especially in buildings, as they are reasonable for approximately 40 % of the world’s total energy consumption. In the future homes and businesses will be able to cover most of their electrical needs themselves. We are now relying on centralized power systems but in the future they will be mostly a back-up system for distributed electrical generating systems.
In the solar-powered future we are no longer dependent on coal, gas, and oil. New solar technologies are rising, and they will bring the Earth’s most available energy source to its new era.
Higgins, J. (2009). Your solar-powered future: It’s closer than you thought. The Futurist, 43(3), 25–29.
Opportunity: Inexpensive and pollution-free elecricity
Threat: none
Would you like to comment?
Log in or Sign up
Comments