UK Solar Power Grid Parity By 2013

 

The general perception of solar power based electricity generation is that it's still a long way away from being cost competitive with coal, natural gas and nuclear powered generation, that is, achieving what is known as "grid parity".

UK based Solarcentury yesterday unveiled a new analysis (PDF) demonstrating that grid connect solar power systems on British homes could be generating electricity as cheap as conventional electricity  by 2013 - and then cheaper each year afterwards. 

Solarcentury arrived at the 2013 date based on studies from the Department of Business, performance data from solar power installations around the UK and from prices available to the company from supply partners.

According to the report, if the current government allocates some of its green stimulus-funding to pushing solar into the mass market, The UK will be able to further benefit from jobs-rich new industry rapidly; such as the case has been in Germany where feed in tariffs have seen solar uptake skyrocket. Solarcentury states that every megawatt of solar panel capacity creates up to 11 jobs, compared to less than 3 for each megawatt of wind power and 1 for each megawatt of coal and gas-fired generation.

While achieving grid parity would need to be underwritten by the UK government over the short to mid term, current fossil fuel based electricity generation is granted generous subsidisation; and according to Solarcentury Executive Chairman Jeremy Leggett, an effective feed in tariff  "is not like nuclear, where the market has to be underwritten with public money essentially forever."

World's Largest Solar Powered Stadium

 

The new main stadium for the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan boasts Taiwan's largest solar panel installation to date and is also the world's biggest solar powered sports facility.
 
8,844 solar panels covering an area of 14,155m2 are integrated into the roof construction of the sports facility, which occupies 19 hectares. 75% of the substantial energy needs of the 55,000 crowd capacity stadium will be supplied by the solar array and on days when no competitions are held, the electricity generated will be fed into the mains grid. 
 
The extensive lighting system of the stadium takes over six minutes to power up and illuminates the track and field with 3,300 lux. A "lux" is a unit of illuminance and luminous emittance  As a comparison, the recommended office lighting level in Australia is 320 lux. 
 
Two jumbotrons screens are on each side of the stadium, along with a surround sound system.
 
The solar panels on the stadium roof generate 1.14 million kWh of electricity per year, avoiding 660 tons of annual carbon dioxide output if that electricity was generated by conventional means. 
 
Other eco-friendly aspects to the stadium include all the raw materials used in construction are 100% reusable and made in Taiwan. The surrounding public area features bicycle paths and extensive landscaping and waterways. 
 
Athletes from more than 90 nations will be competing against each other at the World Games 2009 this June
 
The "green" stadium solar project development is a joint venture of Taiwanese company Lucky Power Technology Co., Ltd. and 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG.
 

News for Wednesday 13 May, 2009

 

• Budget - Coal Cleans Up, Off Grid Rebate In Doubt
  


• Thin Film Solar Cell 19.6% Efficiency Achieved
  

View all news for Wednesday 13 May, 2009 on one page

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