Solar Energy Utilization - The Revitalization of the World†

Abstract

Summary Solar energy research and development is 12 years old. It was the challenge of the oil crises of the early and mid-seventies, not so much the will of men which gave rise to the first solar energy programs. The physical and technical knowledge of the properties of solar energy and the design and behavior of related equipment have substantially improved since; quite a number of utilization experiments have left the laboratory scale: Thermal conversion is economically viable under certain circumstances; so are wind converters; photovoltaic panels are marketed with a yearly capacity of 20 – 30 MWp; hydro-power and biomass energy are the back-bone of energy supply in developing countries. Engineers in the US and Europe are preparing for the first commercial solar tower power plants in the 100 MW range; European and Arabian engineers have agreed upon first solar-hydrogen demonstration plants both in Europe and in Arabia. What turned out, however, to be almost insurmountable barriers for solar energy utilization so far, were not so much technical as non-technical, political-economic and social barriers: As long as the supply-mindedness of men continues to be dominant, decreasing energy intensities cannot show their significance; as long as governments cling to energy conservatisms and leave the addition of new energies practically to the market, it is particularly difficult for solar energy to compete; for as long as the world economy sticks to the obsolete GNP as an indicator of economic welfare, so long will (positive) autonomous economic growth and the repair of ecological damage in the political economic accounting system be treated identically. Defensive or compensatory costs for the prevention or removal of environmental damage are not distinguished from intentional autonomous costs. These potentially perilous environmental damages and dangers are, however, just the reason which may enforce a withdrawal from the traditional fossil or nuclear energies and turn the world energy supply towards the ecologically benign solar energy utilization: Solar energy utilization has what it takes to contribute to the “revitalization of the biosphere of the world”. Solar energy research and development go on. What lies ahead is the worldwide dialog across professional borders; it is insufficient to be properly understood only by “solar people”. What lies further ahead are the design, erection and operation under long-term field test conditions of first commercial solar thermal plants; what is foreseeable is the first production unit of photovoltaic cells and panels in a semi-commercial capacity size of ≤ 100 MWp/a; what is under construction are the first photovoltaic hydrogen plants in the 100 – 500 kW range, one in Saudi-Arabia, one in Europe; what is in a study phase is a first transatlantic hydropower-hydrogen energy “bridge” between Canada and Europe. In the early years of the European Community two energy-related treaties were signed: The MONTANUNION-Treaty of 1952 dealing with coal and steel, and the EURATOM-Treaty of 1958 comprising the agreements of the contracting parties on research and development for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. An “EUROSOLAR”-Treaty does not exist so far. EUROSOLAR, with the objective to prepare another element of the Community's energy supply in the 21st century, would unite the low insolation but capital and technology rich countries of central and northern Europe with high insolation Mediterranean countries and would introduce a further element of commitment into the Community of the Twelve: A step into the right direction. A formalized forum for discussion, exchange of views, interfacultative talk is needed: The establishment of the German Solar Forum (Deutsches Solarforum) is suggested which would bring together scientists, engineers, economists and politicians. Solar energy utilization is 12 years old. Roughly one fourth of its development history lies behind, three fourths of the way remain ahead, until solar energy will have become an essential part of man's energy supply. In case of doubt continuity stands first and foremost!