Solar energy has indeed revolutionized the way we utilize renewable energy, but it is not universally used. The use of solar energy, although growing, still has not expanded to all parts of the world. In this article, we will look at where solar energy is not available and why.
Where Is Solar Energy Not Available and Why?
1. High-Latitude Regions
The solar resource is poor especially in the winter period at stations closer to the poles, as is parts of Alaska, Scandinavia, and most of Russia. Days are long, while sun angles are low and so there is much reduction in generated power. For instance:
- Ireland: Average solar potential is only 0–5.0 kWh/kWp per day, making it one of the least viable regions for large-scale solar installations.
- Alaska: In winter, some areas experience polar night, when the sun doesn’t rise for weeks or months.
Solution: Hybrid systems combining solar with wind or geothermal energy can help compensate for low solar availability.
2. Cloudy and Rainy Climates
Regions with persistent cloud cover and high rainfall, like the United Kingdom or Pacific Northwest in the U.S., face reduced solar output. In the UK, solar energy still thrives due to economic incentives, but the efficiency remains lower than in sunnier regions.
Example: Seattle, Washington, receives an average of only 2.2 peak sun hours per day, making it less effective for solar installations.
Thought-Provoking Question: Can advancements in solar technology, like bifacial panels that capture diffuse light, bridge the gap in such regions?
3. Economically Disadvantaged Areas
In many parts of the Global South, such as rural areas in Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia, solar energy adoption faces financial and infrastructural hurdles:
- High Initial Costs: Installing solar systems requires significant upfront investment, often out of reach for low-income communities.
- Infrastructure Challenges: Remote areas may lack access to skilled labor, equipment, or maintenance facilities.
Success Story: More than 200,000 solar home systems have been installed in Kenya through micro-financing, showing that innovative funding models can surmount financial obstacles.
4. Land-Scarce Urban Areas
Densely populated cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, or Singapore face challenges related to limited roof space and competing land uses for solar installations.
- Land Use Pressure: Urban areas prioritize housing and commercial spaces over solar farms.
- Shading Issues: Tall buildings can obstruct sunlight, reducing solar efficiency.
Innovative Approach: Floating solar farms are being built on reservoirs and lakes, especially in regions with limited land.
5. Regions with Poor Policy Support
Solar energy needs solid governmental policies and incentives to progress. In some countries, lack of support hampers adoption:
- Italy: Recent cuts to renewable energy subsidies have slowed down solar adoption.
- United States: The federal solar tax credit (ITC) has been reduced, discouraging investments in certain states.
Global Examples:
- Germany: Success in solar adoption due to generous feed-in tariffs.
- China: Policies promoting solar energy helped it become the largest producer of photovoltaic panels.
Factors Limiting Solar Energy Accessibility
1. Climatic and Geographic Constraints
- Nighttime Dependence: Solar panels don’t produce power at night, making energy storage essential for consistent supply.
- Seasonal Variations: In high-latitude regions, seasonal changes drastically affect solar output.
2. Infrastructure and Maintenance Challenges
- In areas with limited grid infrastructure, connecting solar installations to the main grid can be costly.
- Lack of trained technicians and spare parts in remote regions further complicates solar adoption.
3. Economic Barriers
- The upfront cost of installing solar panels, inverters, and batteries remains prohibitive for many.
- Maintenance and replacement costs can deter adoption in lower-income communities.
Where Solar Energy Thrives Despite Challenges
1. Remote Villages with Off-Grid Systems
- India’s Bihar State: Villages like Rehal use solar microgrids to power homes and water pumps, bypassing the need for large infrastructure.
- Bangladesh: Over 6 million solar home systemsinstalled through government and NGO partnerships.
2. Cloudy but Innovative Locations
- United Kingdom: Despite low sunlight, subsidies and high electricity costs make solar installations economically viable.
- Netherlands: Floating solar farms offset land scarcity while managing water resources effectively.
How Technology Can Overcome Solar Limitations
1. Bifacial Solar Panels
- Capture light from both sides, making them ideal for regions with diffuse sunlight.
- Case Study: Norway’s deployment of bifacial panels to maximize limited sunlight.
2. Energy Storage Systems
- Batteries like LiFePO4ensure power availability during cloudy days or nighttime.
- Example: Tesla’s Powerwall systems have enabled consistent energy supply in rural Australia.
3. Hybrid Systems
- Combining solar with wind, geothermal, or hydropower ensures consistent energy availability.
- Example: In Alaska, hybrid systems use solar during summer and wind during winter.
Global Perspectives on Solar Energy Adoption
1. Lessons from Successful Projects
- West Africa: Solar-powered water pumps have revolutionized agriculture in dry regions.
- Philippines: Solar lighting has increased safety and productivity in villages that are off-grid.
2. Challenges to Address
- High Upfront Costs: Innovative financing models like pay-as-you-go can make solar more accessible.
- Policy Gaps: Incentives from governments and a simplification of the regulations will help spur solar on.
Solar Energy’s Global Potential
Solar energy is not available everywhere, but its potential to transform energy systems is undeniable. We must address geographic, economic and policy challenges to ensure that even those places that cannot utilize solar energy today can do so tomorrow.
