Solar History: The Vatican and Solar Power
Solar energy continues to make strides toward mainstream acceptance. In the beginning, though, there were some prominent early adaptors to the technology. In 2007, the Vatican announced plans to install a solar power system, and in 2008 work began on the rooftop of Nervi Hall.
Pope Benedict XVI has made a commitment to preserving the earth and is the first pontiff to embrace solar technology. The 2,400 photovoltaic panels are primarily used to heat and cool the hall, capable of holding up to 10,000 people. The panels, donated and estimated to be worth 1.5 million dollars, produce 300MWh of clean energy a year, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by about 225,000 kilograms annually.
The project is part of Pope Benedict XVI’s goal to have the Vatican produce 20% of its energy from alternative supplies by 2020. Currently, the city-state has the most solar installed per capita of any nation. Additionally, there have been talks to transform the popular “pope mobile” into a hybrid, however given emergency concerns with the Pope’s privacy, plans are still in development.
Large, solar projects like the one installed at the Vatican have both the largest environmental impact, but also the largest return on investment. Solar energy is a perfect option for commercial use since they can be installed on almost any building and have a high return rate. Solar Energy World has a whole department dedicated to commercial installations and offers free consultations to see if solar is right for your business.
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Solar Quiz
Think you know all the benefits of solar energy? Here is a quick quiz to test your knowledge. You might be surprised about what you discover.
1. A 1 kilo-watt home solar system prevents how many pounds of coal from being burned each month?
A. 7
B. 170
C. 80
D. 12
Answer: B. By fitting your home with a 1 kilowatt home system, you can prevent about 170 pounds of coal from being burned for energy consumption. This helps reduce the release of CO2 gasses into the Earth’s atmosphere, possibly alleviating the effects of chronic asthma and mitigating effects of global warming.
2. Renewable energy creates more jobs than fossil fuels: True or False?
True. A study from the University of California Berkley Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory concluded that per unit of energy, the renewable energy industry has a greater impact on job growth and economic expansion versus fossil fuel production. For more information regarding the impact of solar energy on job growth, you and find the full report here.
3. How much solar energy is produced by 1 square meter of direct sunlight per hour?
A. 20 watts
B. 140 watts
C. 1000 watts
D. 800 watts
Answer: C. Every square meter of the Earth’s surface can produce up to 1000 watts of energy per hour when facing direct sunlight. If every square meter on the surface of the Earth had a solar panel, it would create approximately 120 trillion kilowatts of electricity!
4. Today’s fossil fuels are the direct result of solar energy: True or False?
Answer: True. All of today’s fossil fuels are the direct result of sunlight provided millions of years ago. Today’s oil and natural gas are the carbon based remains of plants and animals that lived and died millions of years ago. Solar energy is truly a never ending provider.
5. Solar energy will no longer be available after:
A. 2020
B. Jupiter blocks the Earth’s sun
C. Earth’s gravity fails
D. 3100
Answer: Trick question! Solar energy will never cease to be a viable, renewable source of energy as long as Earth has a sun. Most scientists predict that our sun will live for another 12 billion years, so it’s a safe bet that installing solar panels at your home or business will provide you with abundant energy for many years to come.
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Solar Energy Grows, Produces Jobs
Back in April, the Solar Energy Industries Association releases news that solar energy is the fastest growing industry in America. Recent reports are backing up this claim with growth numbers that are far outpacing national averages.
In a report by Clean Technica, the U.S. solar industry posted a 6.2% growth rate in jobs this year through August. This is a staggering number compared to the national estimated job growth rate, fumbling along at an expected 0.7%, and a 2% net job loss in fossil fuel power generation.
These numbers might be unexpected in public circles after some misinterpreted the default of government-backed Solyndra earlier this year as doomsday for the industry. The reality is that today, the solar workforce is made up of over 100,000 employees at 17,198 companies nationwide. The Maryland solar industry is fairing well too.
The growth is linked to an increased demand for solar backed by government incentive and policies. The price of solar energy, aided, for example, by advancements in photovoltaic cell technology, has been dropping steadily, making it affordable for more households. Additionally, local and federal grants and incentives have helped drive demand. The states with the largest solar job growth are states that have strong renewable and solar energy policies.
There is also good news in terms of long-term growth. Experts expect that solar energy jobs will grow by 24% from now until August 2012. That is an addition 24,000 jobs added to the economy by solar energy. In fact, over half of the companies that cooperated in the recent solar census expect to hire in the next year.
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Under the Hood: Solar Hot Water Heaters
When people think of solar energy, often they think of photovoltaic solar panels on rooftops supplying electricity to homes. However, this is just one type of residential solar energy. In addition to photovoltaic systems, where solar panels convert the sun’s energy into electricity, solar thermal can also help homeowners save on their utility bills.
Solar thermal is the process of using the sun’s energy to generate hot water. Solar hot water heaters use collectors to capture the sun’s energy, heating up different types fluids, such as propylene glycol, that are then used to heat up stored water. Usually, the fluid runs through a central cylinder inside a water storage tank; as the fluid is heated by the sun, the fluid then heats the water inside.
Electricity and gas-based heaters are used to supplement solar hot water heaters. However, non-solar systems are only in use when the solar system cannot keep up with demand, drastically reducing energy needs to heat water for the home. Considering solar hot water heaters can provide almost all of a house’s hot water needs, saving homeowners up to 75% on their hot water bills.
Solar hot water heaters are a small step homeowners can take to go green. Just like solar electric, they are a great financial investment. Solar hot water heaters qualify for some government incentives, cut utility bills and increase property values. The best part is that solar hot water heaters have a much smaller initial investment, making them more affordable than solar alternatives with all the same great benefits.
Take a second and learn a little more about solar hot water heaters in this short video about a Maryland solar hot water heater installation:
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Solar Power Maintenance
Solar energy is truly one of the most hassle-free products in today’s market. With most properly installed systems lasting 30-40 years, you can rely on your photovoltaic solar panels to provide half a life time of energy with almost no effort and thought.
Solar panel maintenance is simple, usually only requiring a quick wipe down of hot, soapy water once every 5-6 months. This helps to keep your panels at their maximum output levels and guarantee long lasting life. Depending on your climate, you may need to check your panels more frequently in heavy rain or high pollen areas. For Maryland solar users, it all depends on what the unpredictable weather of the region brings.
We also recommend sporadic checks every 3-4 months for bird droppings and any blockage from rain storms. Limited trimming of tree branches or shrubberies is also recommended every 4-5 years, to ensure the continued highest levels of sun absorption.
With no moving parts, a few minutes throughout the year is all that is required to continue to power your home or business in an affordable, efficient, and renewable manner. Few other products can provide a greater return on investment with such little effort.
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Can I Build My Own Solar Panels?
The short answer: yes. It all depends on how handy you are around the house. Are you confident drilling holes in your roof? How about running electrical wires? There are a plethora of online guides and manuals to help people create a do-it-yourself solar energy system. The better question is: why would you?
Small DIY solar projects are a great idea, but when installing an entire photovoltaic solar panel system at your house, it is almost always better to hire a professional solar installation company. Solar Energy World‘s installation team has more than 74 years of combined experience in roofing and electrical experience. The team that designs our installations knows the subtleties of solar energy, including the correct angles and placement of solar panels to receive the maximum yield. Maryland solar systems have to be installed different than houses in, let’s say California, due to environmental factors.
If money is a concern, solar energy is more affordable now than ever. That means the amount of money you would save by installing a system yourself is marginalized. We are also well versed in the available federal, state and local tax incentives, grant and rebates that you can take advantage of by installing a solar system. In fact, we even do most of the paperwork for you.
In short, it is best to have a professional install a complete solar system. But we do encourage you to adopt other uses of solar energy in your home. Solar drying, rather than using a dryer is a great option. Or you could consider solar cooking. A project like putting together a solar hot dog cooker only takes aluminum foil and some cardboard, and could be a fun family project on sunny days.
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Grants and Incentives for Solar Panels
Perhaps the biggest myth about solar energy is that it is too expensive. The reality is that solar energy is more affordable than ever. In fact, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the cost of solar panels is down 70% since 2009. But it is more than just low cost that makes the investment of solar energy affordable. Federal, state and local grants and incentives help to reduce the upfront cost of installation as well. Maryland solar incentives are considered to be among the top of the table.
On the Federal level, incentives for solar energy were introduced as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009. Customers who go solar receive a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of installation for renewable energy systems, including solar electric, solar hot water, and photovoltaic solar panel systems. The best part? There is no cap to the credit, so residents receive the full 30% credit no matter how large or small the installation.
While everyone is eligible for Federal tax incentives, states and local incentives vary a great deal. In fact, incentives don’t just come from the government. Local utilities offer rebates and incentives for switching to renewable energy. Incentives also vary in form, whether they be tax deductions, rebates or grants.
Solar incentives and grants change regularly and are different for every location. If you want a comprehensive look at what benefits might be available to you, then you might consider scheduling a free solar analysis, where one of Solar Energy World’s representatives can go over all your options in specific detail.
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The Solar Installation Process
We know that normally installing a solar panel system is a pretty controlled and straightforward process, but we wanted to make this a little fun. This presentation includes videos and introductions of key people in the process. We hope you enjoy!
But…if you really want to read about the process – here is the detailed version of the solar installation process.
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International Solar: Lighthouse Tower in Dubai
The lighthouse tower is set to open in 2012. This amazing piece of architecture is set to be 1,319 feet high and contain 66 floors. The tower will be deemed a “green building” and have great emphasis on conserving energy and reducing its carbon footprint.
The building will also be clad in 4,000 photovoltaic solar panels to generate additional electricity. The tower will reduce its overall energy consumption by 65%, and its water consumption by 40% in comparison to an equivalent 
building. At the building’s base, a four story glass lobby will house an environmental visitor center. There will also be three large 225 kW wind turbines, on the building’s south facing side in order to generate electricity.
Dynamic Rotating Tower in Dubai
This will be the world’s first pre-fabricated tower that will sit 1,378 feet high and contain 80 floors. Ninety percent of the tower will be built in factories. Each of the floors will have the capability to rotate independently 20ft per minute, and complete a full rotation in 90 minutes. The tower was supposed to be finished in 2011, however due to financial crisis has not been started yet.
The entire tower will be powered from wind turbines and solar panels. Enough surplus electricity should be produced to power five other similar sized buildings in the vicinity. The turbines will be located between each of the rotating floors. Each turbine could generate up to 1,200,000 kilowatt-hours of energy. The solar panels will be located on the roof and the top of each floor.
Post written by: David Zamostny, Solar Energy World Intern
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Solar Glossary: Grid-tied/Connected
When a solar energy system is tied to a grid or connected to the grid it is capable of sending electricity to the grid that can be used at a later time when the system is not producing electricity. This system is a semi-autonomous electrical generation system linked to the mains feeding electricity back to the grid. The mains being the general-purpose AC electric power supply.
The tied inverter can take the DC energy and convert it into electricity that is phased matched. The local solar energy system is also phase matched allowing for electricity to be interchanged when needed.
A grid tied system works in conjunction with the existing grid. In the most simplest terms pulling energy from the grid when needed and supplying energy to the grid when energy is not being used at the solar site.
Post written by: David Zamostny, Solar Energy World Intern
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