Generating electricity through solar energy presents a significant global opportunity. Nevertheless, despite its abundance, the extensive adoption of solar energy encounters challenges influenced by factors related to its availability, which is referred to as the availability factor of solar energy. Some important definitions of availability are given below:
1. Theoretical Availability
The sun’s rays provide the Earth with massive amounts of sunlight every day, roughly half of which is reflected by the atmosphere. The Earth absorbs approximately 3,850,000 exajoules of solar energy each year. Notably, the amount of energy absorbed in one hour exceeds the entire human population’s annual consumption.
2. Availability during the Day
Though solar power appears to be almost limitless, the Earth’s rotation limits continuous solar power significantly. Regions near the poles have longer daylight hours, but only for a portion of the year, with reduced sunlight at other times. To address this, some solar facilities incorporate energy storage systems that store excess power during off-peak periods and release it during peak periods or overnight.
3. Atmospheric Effects
Cloud cover has a significant impact on the availability of solar energy. Companies looking for large solar energy facilities prioritize locations with historically low cloud cover and lower humidity. Regions with low humidity, infrequent rainfall, and few cloudy days, such as the Southwestern United States, African deserts, and much of Australia, maximize the usable solar energy.
4. Latitude
A location’s proximity to the equator directly correlates with the amount of solar energy it can generate. The greater the angle of the sun to the Earth’s surface, the more solar energy reaches the surface rather than being reflected by the atmosphere. As a result, the area of the Earth’s surface between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn absorbs the most solar energy throughout the year.
5. Power Transmission Infrastructure
Optimal solar power installations prosper in areas with abundant and consistent sunlight. However, these areas may be deficient in population density and power transmission infrastructure. As a result, companies undertaking large solar projects frequently include the construction of power transmission systems to efficiently deliver electricity to areas in need.
Availability of Solar Energy
The distribution and strength of solar radiation on the Earth’s surface change with the time of day and geographical location. Generally, the peak intensity of solar radiation at a specific location occurs during solar noon on clear and cloudless days when the sun reaches its highest apparent position in the sky.
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Availability in Energy Security
The IEA defines energy security as the continuous availability of energy sources at a reasonable price. This concept has multiple dimensions. When it comes to long-term energy security, the emphasis is on making timely investments to meet energy demands while keeping economic and environmental factors in mind. Short-term energy security, on the other hand, is focused on the energy system’s ability to respond quickly to abrupt shifts in the supply-demand balance.
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