Solar power isn’t new
By FRITZ BUSCH Journal Staff WriterSLEEPY EYE -Solar energy concepts have been around for decades, but recent calls for alternative energy have made the concept increasingly attractive.
Tim Zinniel presented a renewable energy review at Zinniel Electric's 30th Anniversary Open House Friday.
While a self-contained, solar photovoltaic (PV) system on wheels converted sunlight into direct current outside the electrical shop, Zinniel talked about the earlier days and virtues of solar power.
"Thomas Edison talked about the importance of it with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone in 1931. He said he'd put his money on it and hoped it would become popular before oil and coal run out," said Zinniel.
Photovoltaics were used as back-up power in the Vanguard I satellite in 1958. They are still vital to telecommunications satellites today.
The world's largest, $1.6 billion, 300 MW solar PV "farm" on 3,200 acres is being built in New Mexico.
A $1.8 billion, 500 MW wind farm is planned to be built off the coast of England.
German projects include a 5 MW geothermal plant and a biogas project using wastewater to grow corn.
"Earlier this year, (former Vice President) Al Gore challenged the U.S., and should have challenged the world to produce all electricity from environmentally-friendly sources," said Zinniel.
He said the speech was similar to when (President) John F. Kennedy challenged the U.S. to put a man on the moon.
"We have lots of solar energy available to produce electricity that we aren't using," he added.
Zinniel said every dollar spent on energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs and solar power returns $5 in lower electric costs.
He added that LED (light-emitting diode) lights cost more to buy but last 20 years and use far less electricity than incandescent bulbs and need less than half the power that compact florescent lights use over 20 years.
Other LED benefits include a 15-month return on investment, less air conditioning load, no recycling costs and cut carbon emissions by 2,500 pounds over 20 years compared to incandescent bulbs.
"We've become a wasteful society," said Zinniel.
He added that recycling a glass container saves enough power to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours. Recycling an aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.
Future energy efficient concepts include net-zero energy buildings that will produce as much or more energy than they consume.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is researching solar panels that can be placed over existing windows and still allow light to pass through them.
Zinniel said residential solar panels that cost about $10,000 can produce one-half to two-thirds of the power load. They produce power even when not in direct sunlight.
He added that local, state and federal rebates, tax credits and utilities required to buy back "green" power can help consumers make energy-efficient purchases.
(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).
