Situation and outlook of solar energy utilization in Tibet,China

The near-exponential rise in tourist numbers and accelerating economic growth have challenged Tibetan energy supply and threaten its peculiar environment and valuable ecosystem. Exploitation of pollution free solar power may medicate this demand for energy. Here we shall provide a review of solar power development in Tibet. This region has a near inexhaustible source of solar energy due to its average annual radiation intensity of 6000–8000 MJ/m², ranking it first in China and second after the Sahara worldwide. Currently, Tibet has 400 photovoltaic power stations with a total capacity of nearly 9 MW. In addition, 260,000 solar energy stoves, passive solar house heating covering 3 million square meters, and 400,000 m² of passive solar water heaters are currently in use in Tibet. Although Tibet places first in applying solar energy in China, solar energy faces big challenges from hydroelectric power and the absence of local know-how. The new power generation capacity in Tibet's “11th Five-Year (2006–2010)” Plan focuses primarily on hydropower, PV power stations being relegated to a secondary role as supplementary to hydropower. Here it will be argued that this emphasis is incorrect and that solar energy should take first place in Tibet's energy development, as it is crucial in striving for a balance between economic development, booming tourism, and environmental protection.     

Reducing institutional barriers to solar energy through the use of cooperatively-owned solar energy systems

Despite the conceptual attractiveness of solar energy systems for space-heating applications, the market penetration rate of solar systems remains low. The physical, economic, and institutional barriers to acceptance that cause this disappointing performance are closely related to the present political, social, and economic structure, and so are proving difficult and time-consuming to lower. However, aggregating small solar systems into larger cooperative ventures can avoid many of these barriers altogether. This “product-fit” approach could greatly increase the diffusion rate of solar energy systems into the economy, thereby replacing fossil-fuel uses sooner and to a greater extent than previously expected.     

忆"全国太阳能利用展览"

2006年6月的一天,为了询问某人的手机号码,我把电话拨到了中国可再生能源学会(原中国太阳能学会)孟宪淦秘书长那里。不料,孟秘书长问起     

Direct use of solar energy for water desalination

Solar energy utilization in three different types of solar desalination systems is considered. The overall efficiency of a typical basin type solar desalination plant is 30 per cent or lower. The major design factors affecting energy utilization are basin temperature, condensing surface temperature and ambient air temperature. Basic reflection and thermal radiation from the evaporating surface and transparent cover are the major sources of heat energy loss in a solar still. The efficiency of a solar desalination plant can be improved by controlling radiation from the plant basin and by the reuse of the latent heat of condensation.     

Determining typical weather for use in solar energy simulations

Predicting the performance of a solar energy system by using simulation methods requires weather data input for the locality involved. The present paper describes a method of analyzing an optional number of years of weather data for a chosen month resulting in a “typical week” which is characterized in terms of solar radiation, ambient dry bulb temperature and wind speed. The “typical week” is allowed to vary in length between 5 and 10 days in the analysis in order to enable selection of a period that best represents a given month according to specified criteria.Verification of the method by comparative computer analysis was performed using two forms of weather data as inputs to the solar energy program “TRYNSYS”. The averaging method when compared to the “typical” weather method resulted in differences of less than 7 per cent.The use of “typical” weather appears to give results at least comparable with more established methods while at the same time providing a broad spectrum of the weather typical of an area. The use of “typical” weather can result in savings in computer time.     

Solar energy outlook in Malaysia

Predicted to be the clean energy of tomorrow, solar energy has been in the forefront of energy development in many developed countries and a potential source of energy to developing countries like Malaysia. This paper presents Malaysia's solar energy or solar photovoltaic developmental outlook. The study is done by first looking into the country's energy policies related to solar energy. Key players in the solar energy development such as government institutions are introduced. Early solar energy programmes and a key project called Malaysia Building Integrated Photovoltaic (MBIPV) as well as its successful initiatives will be presented. Measures which have taken by the government of Malaysia including attractive incentives to encourage solar photovoltaic development, the country's potential in solar energy, foreign investments and future directions as well a feed-in tariff scheme will be presented in length to provide a broad spectrum of solar energy development in Malaysia. The outlook has been positive and the country is active in promoting solar as an alternative energy and is aware of benefits it will bring toward its economic development in the future.     

Some aspects of the use of solar energy in Serbia

This article presents the aspects of solar radiation and the use of solar energy in Serbia. It also considers why Serbia does not use thermal conversion of solar radiation in spite of much greater potential comparing to the countries of the Western and Central Europe, which are leading in the use of solar energy. The low standard of living, low electricity prices, the low level of energy efficiency in all areas of energy use, lack of knowledge, and political decisions are the main causes of insufficient use of renewable energy sources in Serbia.     

Means of enhancing and promoting the use of solar energy

The development of renewable technologies in the last decade has been exceptional. In photovoltaic (PV) for example, efforts were not only limited to merely improving their efficiency but also to the reduction of the cost of cells and modules via volume production for commercial markets. There are many national schemes promoting the use of PV technology and regional targets for a share of renewable energy production. This paper attempts to relay to the reader a journey, based on experience, approaches for enhancing the prospect of utilising solar energy within the society we live in. The issue of expansion or enhancing the utilisation of solar energy can be undertaken by individuals, groups, institutions and governments. The aim of this paper is to provide some examples, which could serve as a framework in which action could be taken to promote solar technology.     

从统计数字看德国太阳能利用现状与发展趋势

德国的太阳能利用规模巨大,特别是在利用太阳能发电方面居世界领先地位。根据德国太阳能协会2010年8月发表的最新统计数字,截止2009年底,德国太阳能企业(包括供货商和手工业者在内)共约1.5万家,其中生产企业约350家,从业人员约8.3万人。2009年德国全国太阳能设备超过     

Efficiency of solar energy use for residential heating and cooling

The possibility of using solar energy collected on flat plate collectors situated on roofs for residential space heating/cooling and domestic water heating is considered. The study is carried out on a typical house situated in various locations in Libya. Two types of constructions involving heavy and light insulation, three roof tilts, and three values of system efficiency are considered. The study shows that the demand in a great part of the country can be provided from solar energy by a medium efficiency system, even with light insulation and a horizontal roof. Only in a few locations should the roof be tilted at an angle of 10 °. For a low-efficiency system, insulation is necessary; for a high-efficiency-system, it was found that there is no need for either heavy insulation or tilting of the roof.     

African sun: Progress in solar energy use in Lesotho

Solar energy is playing a leading role in rural development in Lesotho and is moving into the mainstream of human livelihood, culture and technology in some parts of the region. Ivan Yaholnitsky, ex-MD of Bethel Business and Community Development Centre (BBCDC) describes solar energy development to date in the region.     

Wind energy development in Pakistan

Pakistan has a very limited fossil fuel resource base. The poor economy does not allow the import of fossil fuels, particularly oil, on a large scale. Moreover, too much reliance on imported oil is critical from energy security point of view. A large fraction of the population lives in remote areas and is still waiting to be connected to the national electricity grid. To help these remote communities in particular, and to overcome energy shortages in general, Pakistan needs to develop its indigenous energy resources like hydropower, solar and wind. More than 1000 km long coastline in south and some places in northern mountainous areas provide an excellent resource of wind energy. This vast potential can be exploited to produce electricity on both community and wind farm scales. Applications other than electricity production, such as water pumping, also have vast applications. This article discusses the past, the present and the future of wind energy use in Pakistan. The efforts for the utilization of wind energy in the country are presented as well, along with barriers to its development. It is concluded that the potential exists, but significant efforts are needed to effectively make use of this cheap renewable energy source.     

利用计算机模拟太阳能光伏发电

太阳能光伏发电是利用太阳能电池这种半导体电子器件有效地吸收太阳光辐射能,并使之转换成电能的直接发电方式。开发利用太阳能这种可再生的清洁能源发电是解决能源短缺、保护环境的重要途径。本文概述了太阳能光伏发电技术的研究情况,根据传热学及相关知识建立数学模型,并运用Lab VIEW软件对该系统进行动态模拟与仿真。     

Status and outlook of China's free-carbon electricity

Global warming, increased energy demand, and tremendous air pollution are forcing China to revise its energy structure of electricity generation dominated by coal (80% of total electricity) towards low-carbon electricity. Vigorous development of carbon-free energy resources of electricity is a practical way towards low-carbon electricity in China. In this paper, we shall outline renewable power generation (hydropower, wind power, solar energy, biomass energy, nuclear power, ocean energy and geothermal) together with nuclear power for China, present a reserves assessment, the current status, and barriers for further development, and finish with an outlook towards the future. In our view, China has plenty of free-carbon energy resources to revolutionize its electricity structure and redirect it towards low-carbon electricity systems. Needed are the effective energy policies to get to the way.     

The use and determinants of solar energy by Sub-Saharan African households

Using data from Ethiopia’s, Tanzania’s, and Uganda’s Living Standards Measurement Surveys (LSMS), this article explains the factors affecting the choice of solar energy for domestic purposes. Econometric results reveal that household demographics such as the household size and its composition including the number of adult males, the number of children under 15 years, the level of education of the household head and household wealth play major roles in the choice of solar energy. It clearly establishes that, with the increase in the household head’s education level, the probability of using solar energy increases progressively. Wealthier families are more likely to use solar energy compared to relatively poorer families. Ethiopia and Tanzania are found to have a higher probability of adopting solar energy compared to Uganda. Energy policy should focus on augmenting the level of education and income for scaling up the adoption of solar energy.     

Status and outlook of sensitizers/dyes used in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC): a review

Dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have become a topic of significant research in the last two decades because of their scientific importance in the area of energy conversion. Currently, DSSC is using inorganic ruthenium (Ru)‐based, metal‐free organic dyes, quantum‐dot sensitizer, perovskite‐based sensitizer, and natural dyes as sensitizer. The use of metal‐free, quantum‐dot sensitizer, perovskite‐based sensitizer, and natural dyes has become a viable alternative to expensive and rare Ru‐based dyes because of low cost, ease of preparation, easy attainability, and environmental friendliness. Most of the alternatives to Ru‐based dyes have so far proved inferior to the Ru‐based dyes because of their narrow absorption bands (Δλ ≈ 100–250 nm), adverse dye aggregation, and instability. This review highlights the recent research on sensitizers for DSSC, including ruthenium complexes, metal‐free organic dyes, quantum‐dot sensitizer, perovskite‐based sensitizer, mordant dyes, and natural dyes. It also details and tabulates all types of sensitizer with their corresponding efficiencies. Plot of progress in efficiency (η) of DSSC till date based on different types of sensitizers is also presented. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Status of biodiesel research and development in Pakistan

Performance of biodiesel in engines is well established and biodiesel is currently adjudged as a low carbon fuel with the most potential of replacing fossil fuels. The fossil fuel sources are dwindling in Pakistan resulting in importation of about 8.1 million tonnes at approximately US$ 9.4 billion per annum. In the ambit of this justification, augmenting the energy scarce resources in Pakistan through intense harnessing of the varied biodiesel sources can adequately address the deficiency and can ensure energy security. Towards this end, the progress attained in biodiesel related researches in Pakistan are evaluated and presented with the view of highlighting ways of achieving the target set by the Government. A feedstock that drew less attention is spent triglycerides, and the little work reported by some organizations appeared promising. Now the onus is upon organizations such as the Alternative Energy Development Board and Pakistan State Oil to harness the research results from several indigenous Universities and develop a full-scale biodiesel economy in Pakistan.     

The use of boron for thermochemical storage and distribution of solar energy

Boron has been proposed as a candidate for hydrogen production. In this study a process is described in which boron is used as a means to store and transport solar energy from a production site to motor vehicles, where it is used to generate hydrogen and heat. The proposed multi-step fuel cycle includes no carbon as a reducing agent and, therefore, no release of CO₂ to the atmosphere. This process is safe, mostly involving harmless materials and well-understood technologies. It eliminates the distribution, storage, and pumping of hydrogen at the refueling station, and diminishes the amount of hydrogen stored on the vehicle to a minimum. It is shown that the boron reaction with water, performed on-board of a vehicle, has high hydrogen storage capacity based on both volume and mass, compared with other candidate technologies. An energy balance of the entire process predicts that the overall efficiency of converting solar energy to work by the vehicle engine can be about 11%.