In the spring of 1954, the world was introduced to a groundbreaking invention by Bell Laboratories – a silicon-based solar cell capable of efficiently converting the sun’s energy into electrical current. This innovation was hailed as the dawn of a new era, with the press enthusiastically predicting that civilization would soon be powered by the sun’s limitless energy. However, the first commercially sold solar cell came with a hefty price tag of around $300 per watt, making it prohibitively expensive for most consumers.
Fast forward to today, solar energy has become the cheapest form of energy to produce in many countries, surpassing fossil fuel alternatives like coal and natural gas. Millions of homes are now equipped with rooftop solar panels, with most units paying for themselves in their first 7 to 12 years and then generating further savings. But how did solar energy become so affordable?
A significant turning point in solar’s price history occurred in Germany in 2000. Herman Scheer introduced the Renewable Energy Sources Act in the German parliament, which laid out a vision for the country’s energy future in solar and wind. This legislation incentivized citizens to invest in rooftop solar panels by guaranteeing payment to homeowners for the renewable energy they generated and sold to the grid. The pay rate for this electricity was highly subsidized, at times reaching four times the market price. Several other countries soon followed Germany’s example, implementing similar policies and incentives to drive their country’s solar use. This created unprecedented demand for solar panels worldwide, allowing manufacturers to scale up production and innovate in ways that cut costs. As a result, solar panel prices dropped, while efficiency grew.
Today, a 46-square-meter rooftop solar unit is often efficient enough to fully power a home, and this residential unit no longer costs millions. In the US in 2022, the average consumer cost of a rooftop solar unit ranged from around $17,000 to $23,000. These prices dropped by over 60% between 2010 and 2020 alone.
Switching to solar can result in significant savings. US homeowners equipped with solar can save around $1,500 per year on their energy bills, equating to a net savings of $10,000 to $30,000 during the unit’s lifetime. However, the savings can vary month-to-month, based on the amount of direct sunlight your panel receives, weather conditions, and the price of electricity where you live.
Despite the benefits, adopting solar can be difficult for renters, and in many countries, more than 25% of adults don’t own their own homes. Even if you do, your roof must meet certain orientation and tilt requirements to make solar a worthwhile investment. And while units often pay for themselves through offset energy costs, the initial purchase and installation price for solar can be expensive. However, several companies have adopted solar leasing models, where they finance the material costs, installation, and upkeep of the rooftop systems. Homeowners can then buy the panel’s generated electricity at a fixed rate that’s generally lower than the local utility’s price.
Many are working towards community-based solutions, which would enable entire neighborhoods to profit from solar use. Europe is home to more than 7,000 community energy associations, where local members collectively invest in wind turbines and solar panels to power their local grid. In 2005, the German town of Wolfhagen created an 800-member citizens co-op, which communally invested $2.84 million to buy up 25% of the local energy company and expand its renewables program. Today, its turbines and panels generate enough energy to meet the town’s needs and then some. Surplus energy is sold to neighboring towns, and profits are reinvested back into the community.
For many, the appeal of solar goes beyond just savings. Homes equipped with it are more climate resilient because they can be protected from utility grid outages and brownouts. Not to mention solar’s key role in decarbonizing the energy grid. By working together with large-scale wind and solar farms, rooftop solar units help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, paving the way for a cleaner and more reliable energy future.
Create your own solar oven using a pizza box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and black construction paper. This hands-on activity will help you understand how solar energy can be harnessed to generate heat. Try cooking a simple snack like s’mores and observe how the sun’s energy is converted into heat.
Divide into two groups and hold a debate on the pros and cons of solar energy. One group will argue in favor of solar energy, highlighting its benefits and advancements, while the other group will discuss the challenges and limitations. This will help you critically analyze different perspectives on solar energy.
Using small solar panels, motors, and craft materials, design and build a solar-powered model car or boat. Test your model under sunlight and see how effectively it converts solar energy into motion. This activity will give you practical insights into the applications of solar technology.
Calculate the potential savings from installing a solar panel system on your home. Use data such as the average cost of solar panels, installation fees, and average monthly energy bills. This will help you understand the financial benefits of switching to solar energy.
Research a country that has successfully implemented solar energy on a large scale, such as Germany or the United States. Prepare a presentation highlighting the policies, incentives, and community initiatives that have contributed to their success. This will help you learn about global efforts in promoting renewable energy.
Solar energy – Energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy. – Solar energy is a clean and sustainable source of power that can be harnessed through the use of solar panels.
Silicon-based solar cell – A photovoltaic cell made primarily of silicon, which converts sunlight into electricity. – The most common type of solar cell used in residential and commercial applications is the silicon-based solar cell.
Electrical current – The flow of electric charge through a conductor. – When sunlight hits a solar panel, it creates an electrical current that can be used to power electrical devices.
Rooftop solar panels – Solar panels are installed on the roof of a building to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. – Many homeowners are installing rooftop solar panels to reduce their reliance on traditional energy sources.
Renewable energy – Energy derived from natural sources that can be replenished or renewed, such as sunlight, wind, or water. – Solar energy is considered a renewable energy source because it relies on the continuous supply of sunlight.
Solar panel prices – The cost of purchasing and installing solar panels. – The decreasing solar panel prices have made solar energy more accessible to a wider range of consumers.
Efficiency – The ability of a system or device to convert inputs into useful outputs with minimal waste or loss. – Improving the efficiency of solar panels can help maximize the amount of electricity generated from sunlight.
Savings – The amount of money saved by using a more cost-effective or efficient solution. – Installing solar panels can lead to significant long-term savings on electricity bills.
Solar leasing – A financial arrangement where a third party owns and maintains solar panels on a property, and the property owner pays a fixed monthly fee for the use of the panels. – Solar leasing allows homeowners to benefit from solar energy without the upfront cost of purchasing and installing solar panels.
Community-based solutions – Approaches or initiatives that involve the participation and cooperation of a group of individuals or organizations within a community to address a common issue or goal. – Community-based solutions can include the establishment of shared solar projects to make solar energy accessible to residents who cannot install solar panels on their own properties.
