The Solar Sector is taking over the world!

It is no unfamiliar topic that the global warming crisis and our climate emergency has brought about many initiatives in renewable energy, one major player in the sector being Solar Power. Many countries from all around the world have been investing in this sun filled solution.

When you think about it, it all makes sense, where are you when you imagine a relaxing vacation? On a tropical island sipping coconuts and sun bathing without a care in the world. Exactly, and do you know what is the main idea of that vacation? The bright, sunny and warm weather. Completely related to the energy sector today, wanting to take a vacation from the mundane and stressful non-renewables like oil, gas and coal. On what kind of vacation? A sunny vacation, and what is sunny? That's right- Solar Power!

Solar Power is taking over the world! Here's some food for thought:
1. The Slovakian 'renewables' auctions- solar photovoltaics is expected to claim a whopping 44% of clean energy to generate 2.4 terawatts per hour of electricity in the coming years. In this clean energy and co-generation support scheme, solar energy has the biggest claim. Slovakia had approximately 531 megawatts of installed solar power generation capacity at the end of last year. Majority of this solar power coming from solar parks constructed in 2010-2011.

Picture showing Solar mini-grids in Kenya

https://www.lemorioenergy.com/minigridkenya.html

2. Solar mini-grids in Kenya- Local authorities of Kisumu County has been seeking proposals to build mini-grids of solar photovoltaics to generate a surplus of 5 kilowatts to power hospitals, water pumping, markets and street lighting. Models have been developed for the construction and operation for this project. Energy authorities have published a list of bidders for the tender for the development of solar generation by 2020. In Swaziland, the Kingdom of Eswantini issued its first utility scale solar tender in June with a goal to bring up renewables into their energy mix by 2030. This launched a call for 40 megawatts of solar energy.

3. Solar power plants in Mozambique- A French Development agency has issued a tender to aid Mozambique in the construction of 2 photovoltaic plants to generate up to 80 megawatts of energy. Environmental consultancy to determine the feasibility of this project has been launched as well as loans from the European Union to the Mozambican Government of $4.46 million for the program. 

4. Germany is in on Solar- Photovoltaic systems were constructed to generated 2.9 gigawatts of energy. This includes solar roof-top systems and ground built solar systems. Due to the increase in installations of solar systems, the feed-in tariff has fallen.

Image showing roof-top systems in Germany

http://www.zukunft-oberndorf.at/alternatives-bebauungskonzept-fur-oberndorf-mitte/solarsiedlung_dachaufsicht/

Solar systems have been implemented in countries globally. The ones listed above are only to name a few. It has proven to be a major player in the "going green" projects in the energy sectors of these countries. In fact, it is so effective that investments into solar power is increasing as days go by. Rightfully so, every country should follow suit in the solar energy sector. 

Here's to world dominance of this sunny solution as we here approve and fully support the Solar Sector taking over the world!

References:
1. Bellini, E. (2019). Solar to get largest share in Slovakian 'renewables' auctions. Retrieved 9 November 2019, from https://www.pv-magazine.com/2019/11/04/solar-to-get-largest-share-in-slovakian-renewables-auctions/

2. Bellini, E. (2019). French Development Agency helps Mozambique build 80 MW of solar capacity. Retrieved 9 
November 2019, from https://www.pv-magazine.com/2019/10/31/french-development-agency-helps-mozambique-build-80-mw-of-solar-capacity/?utm_source=Bibblio&utm_campaign=Internal

3. Hannen, P. (2019). Germany added 2.9 GW of solar in nine months. Retrieved 9 November 2019, from https://www.pv-magazine.com/2019/11/01/germany-added-2-9-gw-of-solar-in-nine-months/?utm_source=Bibblio&utm_campaign=Internal

China- Solar Sufficient

"China is now the world's largest consumer of energy, the largest producer and consumer of coal and the largest emitter of carbon dioxide", according to think tank China Power.

Coal is a non-renewable source of energy, it is the sole-provider of energy in China and is heavily dependent on that industry.
As light has been shed on the extravagant amount of carbon emissions from that country alone, the government has been driven in the renewable energy sector. They have invested heavily on "going green".

China has a strong manufacturing industry, they have initiated renewables such as wind turbines and solar photovoltaic cells. With its mass production and government driven employment of renewable energy in domestic situations as well as larger operations, for example, hotels and office buildings.

China's government has been trying to decarbonize by putting 30 to 40 gigawatts of renewables out every year- thats a lot of energy! The country has been rapidly constructing solar farms across the country.

Image showing a fishery-solar hybrid photovoltaic power station in China 

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/04/china-does-not-need-foreign-help-in-renewable-energy-wood-mackenzie.html

One problem has arisen from their attempt to fully replace coal, which is their inability to have proper battery storage. Once this issue is addressed, energy consultant, Wood Hutchinson said, "it is not a question of if, but when China will replace coal with renewables."

The Chinese have their own homegrown technology in wind and solar, therefore suffocating out the chances for foreign investment. They do not need any "extra" financing or technology. In essence of China's foregoing play in the renewable energy sector, they will be self sufficient in terms of renewable (solar) energy production and supply of solar photovoltaics as well as economically speaking, as the energy sector will be highly profitable.

References:
1. Shao, G. (2019). China does not need foreign tech or money to decarbonize, energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie says. Retrieved 9 November 2019, from https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/04/china-does-not-need-foreign-help-in-renewable-energy-wood-mackenzie.html