One of the fun things that I have been enjoying doing for this blog is to run various calculations that in some way apply to Solar Energy, or Energy in general. Since these things tend to get lost down the blog history, so I've decided to keep a reference to them here.
Note: I would consider all of these to be rough. Since I am typically looking at very general cases, I make assumptions. As much as possible, I try to point out the assumptions in the detail of the article.
Also, I'm typically choosing some specific variable or variables to focus on, so I am probably not calculating exactly what you are looking to know. However, hopefully that doesn't mean that my work isn't some value in giving direction in possible ways to look at a problem and to work out a reasonable solution.
Selected Calculations:
So, you want to buy a solar plant, part 2.
Description: Extends Part 1 by correcting for panel degradation and inverter losses.
So, you want to buy a solar plant.
Description: A rough start at a look of Calculating a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for Solar.
Part II : Percentage Land Area required for 100% Replacement of 2006 Energy Demand.
Description: State-by-State comparison of Total Land Area required in order to replace 100% of that State's Electricity Consumption.
Percentage Land Area required for 100% Replacement of 2006 Energy Demand.
Description: State-by-State comparison of Total Land Area required in order to replace 100% of that State's Energy Consumption.
For the Survivalists: How much gasoline is one Solar Panel worth?
Description: Comparison between the energy output of typical modern Solar Panels to the energy contained in a Gallon of Gas.
How much is 1% in efficiency worth in Solar?
Description: Discussion of Diminishing Returns in Increasing Conversion Efficiency.
Does Solar Tracking make sense?
Description: Comparison between a Stationary and a Tracking Installation, discussion of potential advantage of tracking in Energy Output.
Real World Estimation of Land Use per Watt - Sunpower
Description: Land Use Scenario using Tracked Sunpower Modules. Expands upon Solar vs Coal, Land Area Comparison, below.
Solar vs Coal, Land Area Comparison, below.
Description: Comparison between Kentucky Coal Output to potential Kentyucky Solar Resource. Ideal Situation. Expanded on in Real World Estimation of Land Use per Watt - Sunpower , above.
A Note on Units of Energy and Insolation.
Description: Description of the concept of Insolation, and description of a rough way to use Insolation as a basis for Annual Solar Energy Output.
Looking forward to 2020.
Description: Scenario for 2020 making assumptions based on 15% replacement of Fossils by Renewables by 2020. Assumptions are very optimistic.
Coal / Solar Cost Comparison - Final Draft.
Description: Comparison between Coal and Solar Costs over the long term, assuming various rates of Inflation. Written prior to Economic Crash, so certain Assumptions should be reworked.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Calculation Central.
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