We Reap What We Sow: Solar Power
by Ryan Williams
Solar power is the process of obtaining energy that is invisible to the naked eye, from a source that is nearly 93,000,000 miles away from the earth and turning it into usable electricity. This idea of harnessing energy from solar radiation is logical because it’s free, democratized, and the technology is becoming increasingly available today. Solar energy would be especially valuable in places like rural Alaska whose inhabitants struggle to create heat to survive the winters. The only problem with solar energy is that even though the technology is available it is very expensive. Unfortunately some areas that would benefit the most from solar power are remote areas and third world countries, and areas that don’t have the funds to afford them. Having solar infrastructures in these undeveloped countries could provide valuable resources like pumped ground water, heat, and electricity. Another dilemma that arises with having solar panels in remote areas is common method of installation. The traditional way is to have solar panels anchored to a roof. Unfortunately the aging buildings in these remote locations are not built like modern day homes and cannot withstand the weight of such panels. One possible solution to this problem is to build ground mounted community solar farms.
Ground mounted community solar farms eliminate the individual aspect of solar energy. Instead of every individual home having solar panels, there is one central location near the village or town that supplies the local community with solar power. These solar panels can be built on unused, degraded farmland to limit competition for land with existing agriculture. Essentially anywhere that is open, free of trees, and gets direct sunlight can be used for a solar farm. In community solar farms the residents all pool their money together to pay for the installation so that the entire operation is community-owned. The power generated from the solar is then distributed evenly among the residents through the normal electric utility power grid.
Community solar farms can have a substantial impact on the quality of life in remote locations. For example in Galena, Alaska, a village that struggles with high-energy costs and decreasing populations has built a small solar farm on an abandoned airfield. Since the village only has a full time residency of just 470 residents, funding is very difficulty to come by. They obtained funding from the city and built a small 6.7 kW system. This was initially an experimental step to see if solar power was a viable option in their area; fortunately it was. This small project also opened the door to alternative energy education by having nine students participate in a Solar Energy International (SEI) training course. This solar farm is a prime example of what can happen when a town shows a true commitment toward tackling their energy crisis.
The development and use of community solar farms is just another step toward the advancement of renewable energy sources. It shows promise for solar technology and recent successes illustrate the positive impact these farms can have.
Photo Credit: Ryan Williams
by Ryan Williams
Solar power is the process of obtaining energy that is invisible to the naked eye, from a source that is nearly 93,000,000 miles away from the earth and turning it into usable electricity. This idea of harnessing energy from solar radiation is logical because it’s free, democratized, and the technology is becoming increasingly available today. Solar energy would be especially valuable in places like rural Alaska whose inhabitants struggle to create heat to survive the winters. The only problem with solar energy is that even though the technology is available it is very expensive. Unfortunately some areas that would benefit the most from solar power are remote areas and third world countries, and areas that don’t have the funds to afford them. Having solar infrastructures in these undeveloped countries could provide valuable resources like pumped ground water, heat, and electricity. Another dilemma that arises with having solar panels in remote areas is common method of installation. The traditional way is to have solar panels anchored to a roof. Unfortunately the aging buildings in these remote locations are not built like modern day homes and cannot withstand the weight of such panels. One possible solution to this problem is to build ground mounted community solar farms.
Ground mounted community solar farms eliminate the individual aspect of solar energy. Instead of every individual home having solar panels, there is one central location near the village or town that supplies the local community with solar power. These solar panels can be built on unused, degraded farmland to limit competition for land with existing agriculture. Essentially anywhere that is open, free of trees, and gets direct sunlight can be used for a solar farm. In community solar farms the residents all pool their money together to pay for the installation so that the entire operation is community-owned. The power generated from the solar is then distributed evenly among the residents through the normal electric utility power grid.
Community solar farms can have a substantial impact on the quality of life in remote locations. For example in Galena, Alaska, a village that struggles with high-energy costs and decreasing populations has built a small solar farm on an abandoned airfield. Since the village only has a full time residency of just 470 residents, funding is very difficulty to come by. They obtained funding from the city and built a small 6.7 kW system. This was initially an experimental step to see if solar power was a viable option in their area; fortunately it was. This small project also opened the door to alternative energy education by having nine students participate in a Solar Energy International (SEI) training course. This solar farm is a prime example of what can happen when a town shows a true commitment toward tackling their energy crisis.
The development and use of community solar farms is just another step toward the advancement of renewable energy sources. It shows promise for solar technology and recent successes illustrate the positive impact these farms can have.
Photo Credit: Ryan Williams