Cost when using photovoltaic cell Essay Example for Free

Cost when using photovoltaic cell Essay Solar energy industry utilizes prize per Watt peak, which is the primary unit of measurement for computing cost. Current prevailing price for solar energy generation is at around $4/Wp. Basically; cost would depend on the total installed cost for the system. Around 40% to 50% of the cost would be for the solar module. A complete system includes the entire required component for a functioning system. As of 2003 a residential system would cost at around $8,000 $12,000 per kWp installed (SolarBuzz, 2006). Based on data, a 1kWp unit would produce differently depending on the location and levels of sunlight. Generated data for Southern California produced 1800 kwh/year while for Northern Germany was 800 kwh/year and 1600 – 2000 kwh / year in India using the same 1kWp unit of solar system. However, gradual improvements on the silicon crystal model of PV cells contributed to a dramatic reduction of the cost of photovoltaic electricity (Cartlidge, 2007). Actual generated power would still depend on the location and prices are variably dependent on the local tariffs. Compared to other existing rates for energy generation distributed solar PV would be 30cents to 50cents/kWh the current rate is still far from the 3 – 5 cents / kWh rate for combined cycle gas turbines. Although there is a promising trend of decreasing rate of generation cost due to decrease in installation cost (Space_Daily, 2005). The amount of roof space needed to roof-mount a solar system is based on the size or generating capacity† or â€Å"rating† of the system you purchase. Most residential systems require as little as 50 square feet of mounting area for a small â€Å"starter† system, or as much as 500-1,000 square feet for a PV array capable of meeting all of a homeowner’s needs. Commercial systems are typically much larger than residential systems. A rule of thumb is that a square foot of single- or poly-crystalline PV module area produces 10 watts of power in bright sunlight. Therefore, a 1000-watt system requires about 100 to 200 square feet of roof area, depending on the type of PV module. The amount of roof area needed also depends on the PV module’s efficiency in converting sunlight to electricity. Table 1 provides approximate roof area requirements as a function of PV efficiency (percent) and rating (watts). Table 1: Roof Area Needed for Various Sizes of PV Systems Although the efficiency (percent of sunlight converted to electricity) varies with different types of PV modules, higher-efficiency modules typically cost more. One of the main barriers to the development of rural electrification markets with photovoltaic is the financing of the high up-front investment of an SHS, which is the critical point for most of the rural households, as well as for many photovoltaic intermediaries. Depending on the size of the local market, taxes the share of locally manufactured components and governmental policy regarding solar technology and rural electrification, an SHS costs between US $500 to US $1,500. Even with the existence of subsidies for the installation of an SHS, such investment costs are much too high compared to the average income of the target households. For this reason, financing schemes allowing payment by installments must be offered they are needed in national electrification programs as in commercial markets. In this connection, micro-finance institutions (MFI) could play an essential role in the dissemination of SHS. This not only represents a solution for the existing barriers regarding the electrification of remote rural households, but also offers new market opportunities for . MFI for example, ill form of rural electricity loans, which additionally offer the convenience of secure guarantees of the hardware, especially the solar panel. PV today is economical only if it does not have to compete with grid electricity. Nevertheless, the technology is only at the beginning of its development and hopes are high for further large cost reductions. At present, however, it is not obvious that the cost of PV can reach present levels of the cost of base load electricity, but it call reach consumer retail prices. Besides development of technology, market expansion is a proven way of bringing down cost. In several countries that take their obligation to reduce greenhouse gases seriously, comprehensive support programs for distributed PV installations have been legislated. One example is the German renewable energy law, which stipulates that utilities have to pay for PV electricity fed into the grid about 0. 5 $/kWh for twenty years. This reimbursement is reduced by 5% each year for new installations in order to stimulate cost reduction (Elwell Komp, 2007). Manufacturing of PV cells undergoes many processes. After producing the solar cells, they have to be transported and assembled. Solar cell usually have a life span of 25 years. After which they are disassembled and transported for proper disposal. A study was conducted to measure the total energy consumed in the manufacture alone of the solar cells. Using the Sharp ND-205U1 module, which cost $850, a forty-four-module order would require $28,900, not including the cost of wires and inverters installed along with the solar modules (Riley Meyers, 2005). Renewable sources in Middle East In the Middle East, governments are pushing for finding an alternative to fossil fuels to meet its energy requirements. Renewable sources are being eyed. Due to the depleting supply of fossil fuels, United Arab Emirates has already undertaken projects in preparation for meeting the required power needed. It is estimated that by 2015, 14% of estimated power requirements would be saved with the utilization of wind and solar energy. By 2050 it is forecasted that almost half of energy requirements of UAE would be supplied by wind and solar energy with PV generation forming the largest percentage of the two (WFES, 2004). Other Middle East countries are likely to follow in their endeavor to preserve the region’s main source of wealth – oil and gas. Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran Bahrain and Lebanon have already implemented or will be implementing strategies in harnessing these renewable sources abundant in the region (Middle_East_Electricity, 2005). One project initiated in Israel, which aims to provide electricity and water supply in a small rural village in Palestine. Greenstar identified one of the four-target villages Al Kaabneh, West Bank, Palestine. The purpose of the project is to supply electricity with the installation of PV cell system. Before the project was instituted, the village had no electricity and water was not sanitized, thus resulting to health problems as one of the prevalent challenged areas of the village. The locals were taught how to maintain and utilize the PV system installed in their village and care was delegated to them. The project supplied the village with a 100 kW PV generator, which was used to power the village’s health clinic, mosque and school. Aside from the generator, the village was also supplied with a PV powered water pumping and desalination units. Among the lessons learned from the project is that solar energy provides simple solutions to simple electrical needs of small isolated villages where a national grid is rendered superfluous (Greenstar, 1999).

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1. What is the accepted definition of a ‘contaminated site’? Broadly discuss the reasoning underlying the definition and discuss reasons why there are notifiable activities and what these activities are. What other government or supply authorities are required to be notified for development work to be initiated? HD question – How might groundwater be a significant issue on this site? Definition of a contaminated site To understand what a contaminated site is, soil contamination should be defined to understand the scope of contamination that can affect a site when observed in a construction context. Soil contamination can be loosely defined as polluted soil, thereby including liquid or solid hazardous substances mixed amongst the earth’s naturally occurring soil causing impurity. The causes of soil contamination can range from negligence, intentional abuse or at times unintentional actions that can all lead to destructive consequences with long term affects. Soil contamination in Australia is commonly caused through a chemical interference with pesticides, metals such as lead, chromium, cadmium and mercury, petroleum and solvents. The following List outline key causes of soil contamination: ï‚ § Unintended Spills ï‚ § Acid rain ï‚ § Rigorous farming ï‚ § Deforestation ï‚ § Genetically modified plants ï‚ § Nuclear wastes ï‚ § Industrial Accidents ï‚ § Landfill and illegal dumping ï‚ § Agricultural practices, such as application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers ï‚ § Mining and other industries ï‚ § Oil and fuel dumping ï‚ § Buried wastes ï‚ § Disposal of coal ash ï‚ § Drainage of contaminated surface water into the soil ï‚ § Discharging urine and fasces in the open ï‚ § Electronic waste The Queensland Government, Department of Environment and Heritage, Protection, de... ...ivide by two as we know the ground is flat in the zone where we need to fill we therefore do not average. B = Height variance to fill level x the distance B = 3*14.584 B = 43.752 Notes: 1. The distance of 14.584 meters is chosen assuming that the chosen shape has right angles in B C and D. 2. We don’t need to divide by two as we know the ground is flat in the zone where we need to fill we therefore do not average. C = height varian to fill level x the distance C = 3*14.584 C = 43.752 Note1: We don’t need to divide by two as we know the ground is flat in the zone where we need to fill we therefore do not average. Prismoidal Formula Application Volume = (A+4B+C)*L/6 V = [30.468 + (4*43.752) + 43.752] * 30.118 / 6 V = (30.468 + 175.008 + 43.752)] * 30.118 / 6 V = (249.228 * 30.118) / 6 V = 7506.249 / 6 V = 1251.041 m ³ Environmental engineer

Appraising the Secretaries at Sweetwater University Essay

1.What is computer? -Computer is an electronic device that is designed to work with Information.The term ‘computer is derived from the Latin term ‘computare’, this means to calculate.Computer can not do anything without a Program.it represents the decimal numbers through a string of binary digits. Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and processes these data under the control of set of instructions (called program) and gives the result (output) and saves output for the future use. It can process both numerical and non-numerical (arithmetic and logical) calculations. 2.Four functions of computer -The four basic functions of a computer are input, processing, output and storage. Input is the information which is entered into the computer. Processing is performing operations on or manipulating data. Output is the result of the data processing. Storage refers to devices that can retain the data when the computer is deactivated. 3.Computer system -A system of interconnected computers that share a central storage system and various peripheral devices such as a printers, scanners, or routers. Each computer connected to the system can operate independently, but has the ability to communicate with other external devices and computers. 4.Classifications of computer according to 3 devices – (1) Micro computers: These computers use a microprocessor chip and this chip is used instead of CPU means that this microprocessor chip works as a CPU. These computers are also called personal computers. Two major types of these computers are laptop or Desktop computers. Only one user uses these computers at time that’s why they are also known as personal computers. (2) Mini Computers: These are powerful computer. These computers come into existence in 1960s at that time mainframe computer was very costly. Mini computers were available in cheap prices, so users start using it. (3) Mainframe Computer: It as a very powerful and large computer. You can get  idea of its power as it can handle processing of many users at a time. Terminals are used to connect a user to this computer and users submit there task through mainframe. Terminal is a device which has keyboard and a screen. By using terminal users put inputs into the computer and get the output through screen. (4) Super Computers: As the name â€Å"super computer† specifies that these are most powerful computers even than mainframe. Actually, when we optimize a mainframe computer then we get super computer. 5. History of computer – The word ‘computer’ originally implied a person, who, under instructions from a mathematician, performed mechanical calculations. Mechanical calculating devices such as the abacus were often put to use to aid this process. At the end of the Middle Ages, mathematics and engineering in Europe received a considerable boost, thus leading to the invention of numerous mechanical calculating devices. The technology for clockwork was developed by the early 17th century. The period between the early 19th century and early 20th century saw the development of a number of technologies which would be vital for the development of the digital computer later on. Some examples are the punched card and the valve. Charles Babbage was the first person to design a fully programmable computer as early as 1837. However, he was unable to actually construct his computer due to a variety of reasons. Analog computers were increasingly used in the first half of the 20th century for a number of scientific computing needs. However, they became obsolete after the development of the digital computer. The first digital computer was the Atanasoff Berry Computer . It used a binary system of arithmetic, parallel processing, a separation of memory and computing functions and regenerative memory. Binary math and electronic circuits – both of which are used in today’s computers – were first used in the Atanasoff Berry Computer. In the 1930’s and 1940’s, newer and more efficient computers were continuously developed. Gradually, they came to possess the key features which are present in modern day computers – digital electronics and flexibility of programming. Among the more important machines to be developed during this time, the American ENIAC was prominent. It was a general purpose machine, but had an inflexible architecture. Later a far superior technique known as the stored program architecture was  developed. It is the foundation from which all modern computers are derived. Throughout the 1950’s, computer design [http://www.online-computers.info] was primarily valve driven. This was later replaced by transistor-driven design in the 1960’s. Transistor-based computers were smaller, faster and cheaper, and hence commercially viable. Integrated circuit technology, adopted in the 1970’s enabled computer production costs to hit a new low, so that even individuals could afford them. That was the birth of the personal computer, as it is known today. 6.Examples of Input,Output Devices: *Manual- Abacus,Slide rule,Leibiniz’z Calculator,Napier’s bones,Pascal calculator,Babbage’s Analytical engine *Electronic-Unversal automatic computer,Electronic delayed storage automatic calculator,Electronic discrete variable automatic computer,Electronic numerical integrator and calculator,Atanossof-Berry computer *Electromechanical-Automatic sequence controlled calculator,Jacquard’s Loom, Hollerith’s punched-card machine

Essay on Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) - 1587 Words

What is the FTAA In 1994, the leaders of the thirty-four democratic countries of the Western Hemisphere launched the process of creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The FTAA will be established by 2010 with the aim of gradually eradicating barriers to trade and investment in the region. The final characteristics of the FTAA will be determined through negotiations by government officials from the thirty-four participating countries. The trade issues that are presently under discussion are: market access; investment; services; government procurement; dispute settlement; agriculture; intellectual property; antidumping, subsidies and countervailing duties; and competition policy. Guiding principles for these negotiations†¦show more content†¦The objectives and principles also mandate special consideration be given to the smaller, less developed countries of the hemisphere. These provisions reflect both the unique challenges facing the smaller, poorer countries and their influe nce in a process in which each country, regardless of size, in effect has veto power. With the FTAA negotiations still at an early stage, it would be useful to remember that the important decisions in multilateral trade talks usually do not get made until the very end, frequently when it appears as though the talks will fail to produce a significant agreement. This pattern is built into the FTAA process as the negotiations are conducted as a single undertaking, and there is no agreement until everything is decided. The biggest slow down of the negotiations was the continued failure of the U.S. Congress to renew the President Clinton’s fast-track authority, his ability to negotiate trade agreements and submit them to up-or-down votes. The 1994 Miami Summit ended with assurances from President Clinton that he would secure fast-track authority and use it to gain Chile’s admission to NAFTA. Without it, not only has Chile’s admission to NAFTA fallen by the wayside, but there are growing questions about U.S. approval of the final FTAA agreement. Doubts concerning Washington’s resolve and leadership have clouded the negotiations and provided an opening for countries not enthusiasticShow MoreRelatedThe Free Trade Area Of The Americas935 Words   |  4 PagesThe Free Trade Area of the Americas Introduction The Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement (FTAA), was first introduced in 1994 with intentions of finalizing the deal by 2005. However, the agreement failed to pass due to the backlash of some of the Latin American countries involved, especially Venezuela and its President of the time, Hugo Chavez, who held a strong vocal opposition of the free trade agreement (The Defeat of the FTAA). 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INTRODUCTION The fast pace of globalization is creating serious issues and questions for many developing countries to deal with, such as should they join a free trade bloc or not? What will they gain by being a member and what will they lose? Since the creation of the European Union, first formed by 15 Western European countries and most recently expanded to 10 additional European nations, have influenced many countries around the world to follow the European example and worked together