Expert insight: There are big benefits to small-scale solar ...

Expert Insight: Exploring the Advantages of Small-Scale Solar Energy

Recent research underscores the significance of size in solar energy systems. A groundbreaking life-cycle analysis comparing large and small solar photovoltaic (PV) systems has discovered that smaller solar installations are more beneficial to the environment than their larger counterparts, even the most efficient solar farms.

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Historically, the cost of solar energy systems deterred many from investing, but the landscape has shifted dramatically. Today, renewable energy stands as the most affordable energy source globally. Solar panels haven’t just breached the cost barrier but now offer substantial returns on the energy invested in their production.

While it may appear that the most economical solar energy comes from expansive solar farms, this notion has been challenged by the recent life-cycle analysis that I coauthored with Riya Roy from the University of Western Ontario. Our findings indicate that smaller solar systems, rather than large-scale installations, offer greater ecological advantages.

Solar: A Cost-Effective Solution

The decreasing costs of solar PV technology have exceeded expert predictions, marking solar energy as often the least costly source of power, according to the International Energy Agency.

A study highlighted that residents in Michigan would find financial relief if they embraced rooftop solar instead of relying on utility companies, which often source power from coal-fired facilities in distant locations. This points to solar’s potential to not only provide economic benefits but also to enhance energy independence.

Moreover, solar energy can complement other utility systems. For instance, solar-powered heat pumps can offset natural gas use, making them a profitable investment for homeowners in the northern United States and Canada.

Rooftop Solar vs. Utility-Scale Installations

Rooftop solar systems promise rapid returns, paying back energy investments in under a year, even in colder climates like Canada, where panels are covered under warranties lasting up to 25 years. Interestingly, solar panels tend to perform better in cooler temperatures, reducing snow accumulation losses. As our climate continues to warm, this challenge may soon become irrelevant.

However, reaching Canada’s carbon reduction targets will require an extensive deployment of solar panels. A study suggests that with just one percent of Canada’s agricultural land dedicated to large-scale solar farms, we could significantly offset fossil fuel usage. This raises an important debate: should we prioritize rooftop solar systems or extensive solar farms?

Why Choose Rooftop Solar?

Although large solar farms might present lower costs per energy unit for utilities, the advantages of rooftop systems, as demonstrated in our life-cycle analysis, cannot be overlooked. Rooftop solar systems typically require 21 to 54 percent less energy input, generate substantially less greenhouse gas emissions, and use considerably less water compared to utility-scale installations.

Such efficiency stems primarily from rooftop solar leveraging existing infrastructure, greatly minimizing material use. Furthermore, placing solar panels close to energy consumers minimizes transmission losses across power grids.

In terms of water usage, ground-mounted systems consume significantly more water – six to 260 times that of rooftop mounting systems, depending on the solar modules used.

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A Mixed Approach to Solar Energy

With the environmental and economic advantages of rooftop solar clearly indicated, one might argue for aggressive policies to promote small-scale installations. Such strategies could foster resilient energy infrastructures and pave the way for lower consumer bills while benefiting the planet.

Nonetheless, the reality is that rooftops alone cannot satisfy all energy demands, requiring a balanced approach. One promising avenue is agrivoltaics, which combines solar energy production with agriculture to avoid sacrificing valuable farmland while simultaneously enhancing food production.

Those who possess roofs free from obstructions should consider local suppliers to reap the rewards of solar energy. Farmers could benefit immensely from integrating agrivoltaics, enhancing both agricultural yield and supplementary income through electricity generation.

Renewable solar electricity undoubtedly holds immense potential in our global energy future.

Joshua M. Pearce, John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation and Professor, Western University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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