Photovoltaic Energy

James Humphries Hina Imtiaz Taylor Pack Brian Oates Craig McConnell

Photovoltaic Energy • Often Called PV or solar electricity systems • Makes use of the abundant energy of the sun • Convert solar energy directly into electricity

PV Array • Size depends on many factors • Made up of several panels called modules • Each module consists of many individual PV cells

PV Modules • Can be up to several feet in length • This particular array is made up of 6 modules

PV Cells • Are electricity producing devices made of semiconductor materials • Can be many sizes and shapes

Make Up of a PV System A complete system has an array, a battery, a controller and a load

Already in Use • Provides power for many small consumer products • Used in bigger systems such as satellites, machines, and even traffic lights on highways

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Photovoltaic Systems

Disadvantages • Relatively High Prices ($.25-$.30kWh) • Unavailable to areas that have minimal sunlight

Advantages • • • Electricity with little to no pollution No limiting resource: silicon is abundant PV power plants’ fast assembly PV power plant in Santa Rita, CA

System Economics Photovoltaic Systems

Efficiency • • • Location Natural Dependants Power Input/Output

How Big?

• • • How much power supply is needed?

Is this a constant supply?

System economics depend on how many panels are needed.

Short-Term • • • The short term economics suck High initial cost Low output

Long-Term • • • Long-Term economics are more promising Running costs and maintenance are extremely low Estimated Array Life: 30 years

Solar Energy in

COSTA RICA

Interesting Case • • • • Hydroelectric power 80% total electric power Rural areas use wood fuel No oil reserves – protests to drilling Potential solar energy ~ 123 million barrels of oil

La Esperanza & Colas del Gallo • • • • Western Costa Rica Cost of production: $63,000 Cost to extend grid: $370,000 Independent systems: three 13 watt light bulbs and one television

Water Heating • • • Most feasible Could replace 10% of energy usage Cost per home: $600 -700

Sol de Vida • • • • • 1994 Women’s groups involved in solar energy and sustainable energy usage Solar cookers Annual festivals Resources and education center

• • Ecotourism

“Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following principles:  Minimize impact       Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts Provide direct financial benefits for conservation Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate Support international human rights and labor agreements

Hotels and Ecotourism • There is an organization of tourism based companies (mainly hotels) that have joined in the Certification for

Sustainable Tourism

(CST) in which they commit to environmentally friendly operations.

Ecotourism and Solar Energy • • Mostly used for water hearting Si Como No - Manuel Antonio

Photovoltaics in Indonesia

West Java, Indonesia • • • SELF – launched project in Indonesia in 1996 Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of homes Recipients were required to make an initial down payment of $100.00, followed by monthly installments of $10.00 over a three and half year period.

In Conclusion