This May 2022 image shows solar panels in Worcestershire, England. The recent warm weather in the UK has led to a debate about the optimal conditions for solar energy.
Mike Kemp | In pictures | Getty Images
Last week saw a rise in temperatures in the UK, with highs exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for the first time ever.
The news from the UK – which has experienced a series of significant weather disruptions – came as other parts of Europe grappled with a heatwave that caused fires, travel delays and death.
On July 20, Solar Energy UK, citing data from Sheffield Solar’s PV Live page, said that the country’s solar output had “met up to a quarter of the UK’s electricity demand”. The trade association added that over the course of 24 hours, solar energy “provided an estimated 66.9 gigawatt-hours, or 8.6% of UK electricity needs”.
Many would think that the heat of the past few days would be the ultimate sweet spot for solar photovoltaic systems, which directly convert sunlight into electricity.
Read more about energy from CNBC Pro
The reality is a bit more complicated. See the article : Polarized photovoltaic properties emerge. According to Solar Energy UK, the UK’s solar capacity reaches its optimum production level at temperatures of around 25C.
“For each degree either side of that, it’s reduced by just 0.5%, even though newer modules have improved performance,” it says.
In a statement, Alastair Buckley, who is professor of organic electronics at the University of Sheffield and runs Sheffield Solar, said this is “why we never see peak production in the middle of summer – peak national production is always in April and May when it’s cool and sunny. ” Sheffield Solar is part of the university’s Grantham Center for a Sustainable Future.
Buckley’s argument confirms the current record for UK solar generation. It is 9.89 GW and was reached on April 22, 2021, according to Sheffield Solar.
Temperatures last week were well over 25C, but the overall effect didn’t seem to be too disruptive. According to Solar Energy UK, it would take a significant increase to cause major problems.
He says panel temperatures are determined by a number of factors: what’s called “solar radiation,” ambient temperature, and the cooling effects of wind. “A 20% efficiency loss, which is considered a significant amount, would require them to reach a whopping 65°C.”
There is clearly breathing room for solar panels, but the prospect of higher summer temperatures occurring more regularly is something that doesn’t seem to worry Chris Hewett, chief executive of Solar Energy UK.
“It’s marginally better for efficiency in the spring, but basically, if you have more light, you’re producing more solar energy,” he said last week.
“You have to remember that solar panels work all over the world. The same technology that we put on our roofs is used in solar farms in the desert of Saudi Arabia.”
Solar energy is not the only one affected by the rising temperatures Europe has experienced.
Last week it was reported that a nuclear power plant in Switzerland had reduced its output to prevent the river that cools it from reaching temperature levels dangerous to marine life.
On July 18, the international unit of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, citing the country’s public broadcaster SRF, said the Beznau nuclear power plant had “temporarily reduced operations” to prevent the temperature of the Aare River from rising “to levels dangerous for fish”. “
In a broader sense, numerous companies dealing with renewable energy sources have emphasized how weather conditions can affect their production. Lower wind speeds, for example, can compromise performance.
What is difficult about using solar power?
Solar PV has challenges related to the uncertainty of how much sunlight it will receive, as the weather can change from time to time. This would show the difficulty in determining how much energy should be stored for future use. This may interest you : Low-cost solar-powered water filter removes lead, other contaminants. Obviously, sunlight is unavailable during the night hours while there is still a demand for electricity.
Why is it hard to rely on solar energy? – this is because the solar panels we have can only produce electricity when it is a clear sunny day. In order for a house or business to rely entirely on solar energy, the owners would have to live in a sunny area and use batteries to store excess energy for cloudy and rainy days.
What are the challenges of using solar energy?
Disadvantages of solar energy
- Expenses. The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is quite high. …
- Depending on the weather. Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system decreases. …
- Solar energy storage is expensive. …
- Uses a lot of space. …
- Associated with pollution.
What is the biggest challenge to the use of solar energy?
One of the biggest obstacles the solar industry has faced in the past year – and historically – is the public’s perception of the cost and effectiveness of solar energy. The general public falsely thinks that solar energy is much more expensive than it actually is and that it is not an efficient technology.
What is the biggest challenge to the use of solar energy?
One of the biggest obstacles the solar industry has faced in the past year – and historically – is the public’s perception of the cost and effectiveness of solar energy. The general public falsely thinks that solar energy is much more expensive than it actually is and that it is not an efficient technology.
What is the main challenge with solar power?
One of the main concerns is efficiency – solar panels only convert a small percentage of available solar energy into usable energy. Reliability of solar power is also an issue, especially in certain geographic regions.
What is the most challenging issue related to solar energy?
The biggest challenge facing the solar industry is politicization, which is to be expected in an election year. However, solar energy is an unusually partisan issue. Ironically, solar energy is now more profitable than nuclear, which has been heavily subsidized by the government for generations.
What are the 2 main disadvantages to solar energy?
Disadvantages of solar energy
- Expenses. The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is quite high. …
- Depending on the weather. Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system decreases. …
- Solar energy storage is expensive. …
- Uses a lot of space. …
- Associated with pollution.
What is the main disadvantage of solar energy? Reliability. One disadvantage of solar energy is that it relies on the sun, electricity cannot be generated at night, requiring you to either store excess energy generated during the day, or connect to an alternative energy source such as the local utility grid.
What are 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of solar energy?
| Advantages of solar energy | Disadvantages of solar energy |
|---|---|
| Reduces electricity bills | High initial costs |
| It provides tax benefits | Time Consuming |
| Paired with solar battery storage | Depending on the weather |
| Environmentally friendly | Strict criteria |
What are 2 advantages of solar?
Solar energy is pollution-free and does not emit greenhouse gases after installation. Reduced dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels. Renewable clean energy that is available every day of the year, even on cloudy days produces energy. Return on investment as opposed to paying utility bills.
What land is best for solar panels?
Solar developers are looking for clean, flat land with little or no wetlands and minimal slope (5 degrees maximum). YSG has noticed a trend towards single-axis tracking units. This is a rack system that will move in one direction (east/west) to maximize the output of each solar panel.
What are the three challenges to solar energy?
Wind and Solar Electricity: Challenges and Opportunities examines the three primary barriers to deploying wind and solar power: cost, generation variability, and lack of transmission.
What is the biggest challenge in using solar energy? One of the biggest obstacles the solar industry has faced in the past year – and historically – is the public’s perception of the cost and effectiveness of solar energy. The general public falsely thinks that solar energy is much more expensive than it actually is and that it is not an efficient technology.
What are 3 pros and 3 cons to solar power?
| Advantages of solar energy | Disadvantages of solar energy |
|---|---|
| Reduce or eliminate electricity bills | Solar panels are expensive |
| Reduce your carbon footprint | Long repayment period |
| Improve the value of your home | Not sustainable for all roofs or houses |
| Energy independent of the grid | Less savings when electricity costs are low |
What are 3 pros of using solar panels?
Solar energy is pollution-free and does not emit greenhouse gases after installation. Reduced dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels. Renewable clean energy that is available every day of the year, even on cloudy days produces energy. Return on investment as opposed to paying utility bills.