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POPSPhotovoltaics - How they Work It'd be nice to see a video of this.... The photovoltaic effect was first discovered in 1839. The first photovoltaic cells were made in 1918. Since then Einstein developed photovoltaics. There was a lot of research and development during the 1960's Space Race, when satellites were powered by solar panels. The 1970's saw the beginning of residential solar use. For houses living far off the electricity grid, photovoltaics made financial sense. Prices have since fallen from $30 a watt down to $7 a watt for residential installations. Now due to technology advancing and power costs rising, the price of solar energy is still falling. The future of solar energy looks bright indeed.
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POPSWhere the Real Power Lies- in the Distribution Network This article touches on one of the great strengths of solar energy - the ability to produce power in many de-centralized locations and distribute it widely with very little loss. And as in the spread of telephones, electricity, tv and railway, the real power is held by those who own the distribution network. What's especially interesting here is that you can draw parallels between solar power and the biggest network around at the moment - the internet. The way in which both these mediums are alike is that they inherently resist centralized control. While you can build giant solar power stations, there is still the capability for a homeowner to have their own mini-power station on their roof. This democratization, of information by the internet, and electricity by solar power, is, I think ,a good thing. Both for the environment and for the individual.
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POPSBuilt-in Obsolescence in Solar Tariffs Creates Growth By removing the major obstacle to solar energy - high start-up costs - solar has grown tremendously in Spain. Phasing out this tariff gradually over time is also wise. This decreases dependence on these tariffs - which could destabilise the solar energy market
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POPSSolar Energy in Bangladesh Large government investment in Bangladesh grows solar industry. In remote rural areas, solar panel installations can rapidly improve living conditions. These reduce the urgency for large electricity infrastructures to be built.
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POPSSolar TPower in Africa An interesting economic proposition . Countries that were previously disadvantaged by desert and arid land have the potential to become the main suppliers of solar energy.
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