Basics of Solar Energy
Solar energy is created via nuclear fusion happening in the sun. The fusion happens when atoms in the sun collide with each other to make new atoms. This nuclear fusion creates energy that can then be used on earth to help life thrive. It travels to earth in the form of waves and particles. Humans can harvest this energy through technology such as solar panels and use it to power our other technologies. Solar energy is a good option for use in our technologies since it is a renewable resource, meaning it will always be available for energy.
Some of the ways we harvest this energy is through photovoltaic cells and panels, concentrated solar energy, and solar architecture. There are two different ways that solar energy can be harvested, either actively or passively. Active harvesting of solar energy uses technology like solar panels to capture and convert solar energy into electricity or heat. Meanwhile, passive harvesting is when communities use their local climate and pair it with structural design to help either reflect heat back outward in climates where a cooler indoors is beneficial or to trap heat in climates where they need to warm the inside of a structure. This solar energy is a great resource that can be used to harvest a lot of electricity and power our technologies in a cleaner way than resources used in the past, such as nonrenewable energy sources including oil and gas. Solar energy can also be less expensive than other types of energy making it an awesome resource for nonprofits.
What are the Advantages of Solar Energy?
Solar energy offers long-lasting advantages and is an ever-growing industry. One advantage of solar energy is its constant availability. Solar energy has several forms, including photovoltaic solar, concentrated solar power, and passive solar energy, and is an inexhaustible source of energy. Solar power can be produced if there is any amount of sunlight, even on overcast and cloudy days. Solar energy is also able to be stored for later use via batteries and can even be returned to electrical grid systems via net metering. Solar panels require very little maintenance and can be installed in many different settings, which contributes to the overall value of solar power use. Further, solar energy significantly reduces societal reliance on fossil fuels, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and foreign oil dependence. A growing presence of solar energy would allow a continued reduction on our reliance on fossil fuels, natural gas, and mainframe electricity grids. Not only does solar energy reduce the use of fossil fuels and toxic pollutants in the air, but it also allows for the growth of a competitive industry that promotes employment and economic wealth. Overall, solar energy provides a reliable, environmentally friendly, and efficient source of energy.
What Interferes with Solar Panels?
On a most basic level, solar panels must be in a location where the sun can shine directly on them for the longest part of the day in order for them to produce as much electricity as possible. Solar energy requires sunlight from the sun, which can be interfered with in several ways, including sun intensity, cloud coverage, trees, roofing, and weather. Each of these are essential to consider, as each of them can cause significant effects on the performance of the panels.
The intensity of the sun is constantly changing. The intensity changes each day as the sun rises and sets (highest intensity in the middle of the day and none when the sun has set), and it also changes seasonally in most areas of the world. Geographic location also impacts the sun’s intensity that reaches the solar panels. When the sun shines more directly on solar panels, the panels are most efficient.
Clouds and trees are also something that interferes with solar energy efficiency. This interference does not completely stop electricity generation from the solar panels, but it can have a significant impact. It also impacts different technologies to a different degree. For example, concentrated solar energy is impacted more than photovoltaic panels. Knowing how often it is cloudy in a certain area is important to know if solar panels are a smart choice. Knowing where the panels will be at, and knowing if there are any trees, other buildings, etc. that could interfere with sunlight is important when thinking about going solar.
A final factor that could interfere with solar energy efficiency is the weather. When the weather is too hot, this could decrease the efficiency of electricity generation. This is true for all types of solar energy. There are many factors that can interfere with the efficiency of solar panels, but are they still a good option in the Midwest?
How Viable is Solar Energy in the Midwest?
Although it seems unlikely for solar energy to succeed in an area known for not seeing the sun for multiple months in a row, solar is surprisingly a very viable and successful method of clean energy within the midwest region. Two main concerns with solar energy within the Midwest are the ability to withstand the snow and winter weather of the region, and lack of sunshine.
The first concern is addressed with sturdy solar panels. Solar panels are designed to withstand hail, snow, and high winds, all of which are common occurrences in Midwestern states. As solar panels are built so strongly, there should be no concern about them failing within the weather in the Midwest. The second concern can be easily disproved as it does not need to be sunny to collect solar energy! Many studies have been done to prove this and gave way to interesting results. The first showed that the Midwest receives more sunlight yearly than Germany, which boasts high rates of solar power throughout the country. Another study showed that despite the changes in weather and lack of sunshine, solar energy is a viable energy option throughout the entire year since cooler air can aid in performance while snow can reflect further sunlight to be captured by solar panels. Despite common misconceptions, solar energy can easily be used and is beneficial for Midwest states!
University of Dayton Team’s Solar Success Stories!
The University of Dayton Solar Ambassador Team works to help bring solar energy to nonprofits in the Dayton, Ohio area that are interested in going solar. The team has completed three solar projects for nonprofits in Dayton including East End Community Services, Mission of Mary Cooperative, and Oak Tree Corner.
The Mission of Mary Cooperative addresses food insecurity by providing access to healthy and clean food. They also promote sustainable actions and teach people in their community about the benefits of renewable energy. Mission of Mary was the first net-zero organization in Dayton with their 12kW system that RE-volv helped install in August 2018. Through the project, 437,590 pounds of carbon emissions were avoided, and the nonprofit will save $21,500 off the cost of their electricity bills!
The second nonprofit that the University of Dayton Solar Ambassadors helped bring solar to was East End Community Services, which provides programs to prevent multi-generational poverty in the Dayton community. They provide academic services for children who live under the federal poverty line, helping residents of the neighborhood set up community gardens, and enriching the lives of underprivileged kids. RE-volv helped East End Community Services install a 27kW system that will reduce their carbon emissions by 1,097,500 pounds. The panels were installed in March 2020 and will save East End $17,000 off the cost of their electricity bills!
Oak Tree Corner is an organization dedicated to providing support for children ages three to eighteen who have lost someone close to them. The children learn to deal with grief through activities, events, and talking with their peers. In addition to helping the children, Oak Tree Corner provides services to their guardians to continue the support at home. RE-volv helped Oak Tree Corner install a 15 kW system that was completed in September 2021. The project will help avoid 644,700 pounds of carbon from entering the atmosphere, and will save Oak Tree Corner $28,500 off the cost of their electricity bills!
About the Authors
The Solar Ambassador Team at the University of Dayton has worked with three nonprofits in the city of Dayton to help them go solar through RE-volv’s solar financing model. The team members that helped write this blog are Patrick Hoody, Kathleen Ziemba, Anna Molnar, Lindsey Tippin, and Lauren Bower. They all are majoring in engineering with various interests in sustainability and clean energy. They have enjoyed planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the most recent solar installation in the Dayton area through RE-volv at Oak Tree Corner and are working to find more nonprofits who would be interested in going solar.
