Photovoltaic power system is a type of renewable energy that converts solar energy into solar photovoltaic electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts energy from the sunlight into the electricity. One of the advantages of the PV technology is that it is pollution free, and it is applicable with little maintenance.
(EPIA 2008). Since sunlight is available free of charge, there has been an increase in the research and development (R&D) to make the Photovoltaic energy available to all households and industry in the future. With the advantages derived from the PV energy systems, varieties of research have been launched at national and international laboratories focusing on the mass production of solar power at possible lower costs. (Dahl, 2005). In German, there are varieties of efforts in the development of PV technology. There has been an increase in the collaboration of government, university and the industry consortia in the development of Photovoltaic power systems.
The objective of this study is to analyze the government-university-industry consortia (GUI) collaboration for the development of Photovoltaic power systems in German.
A: Research Collaboration of Photovoltaic Power Systems in German
German is the world largest supplier of solar PV with market totaled 3.6GWp representing 49% of global market share. In addition, German produces 55% of the global solar electricity with the capacity of 11.GWp of new PV capacity. In 2007, the PV generates revenues totaled EUR 5.7 billions for German representing 33% of the world market. In German, the PV Systems has led to the increase in the 10,000 businesses, employed over 42, 000 people and leading to the employment growth of over 30%. The growth in the PV systems has been due to the increase in research and development (R&D) in German. At present, there are over 60 research institutes engaging in the development of PV technology. In 2007, German investment in PV R&D was approximately EUR 176 million. Between 2004 and 2007, there were registered 250 patents in German. The existence of the supportive industries has been the main contributor to the quick development of PV systems. The caliber of the supporting industries in German is that they are among the leading industries in Europe and rank the top three globally. German government also provides extensive incentives in the development of PV. (GTAI 2009).
The presence of excellent research institute with the collaboration of private sectors and the assistance of German government has made German to be one of the richest landscapes in the PV R&D. In 2007, German industry invested approximately EUR 175.8 million in R&D. The German government also invested EUR 6.5 billions in solar energy research. Ministry of Education in German also invested EUR 360 million to support PV R&D. (El-Beyrouty, Meimanaliev, Petrosyan et al. 2009).
In German, the PV system has rapidly developed more than other countries due to the following factors:
First, German government provides significant investment in the R&D of PV systems.
Moreover, there are supportive industries that collaborated with the government and university to sponsor the R&D in the PV systems.
To enhance the development of the Photovoltaic power systems, Federal Ministry of Education and Research disbursed the amount totaled EURO 22 Millions for the PV R&D. In 2006, German Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) supported the PV development through research and development. The ministry spent approximately EURO 38 million on 21 PV research and development. The major objective for funding the R&D on the RV systems is to enhance the costs reduction on solar power.
Moreover, there is also other several R & D. supported by BMU in 2008 totaled €39.9 million. The funding of the German government on PV R&D has dramatically reduced the costs of PV systems from 1995. Illustration in Fig 1 shows that there is dramatic reduction in the costs of PV systems between 1995 and 2009. Reduction in the costs is attributed to the consistence funding on the PV R&D. (Wissing, 2006).
Fig 1: Costs of PV System between 1995 and 2009
Source: Wissing, (2006).
Apart from the federal government funding on PV R&D, various universities in German have also demonstrated the initiatives in the development of PV systems. The Technical University of Ilmenau has increased the research efforts on PV system since 1997. The university has focused on the possibilities of having solar energy since 1997. "TU Ilmenau conducts interdisciplinary research with 40 partners in more than 20 solar energy projects." (Thuringia 2010 P. 1). Many universities in German have also introduced undergraduate, graduate and PHD courses in the development of PV technology. The department of Electrical Engineering at University of Stuttgart introduces modules such as Applied Photovoltaic and Thin Film Technology and Solar and Heat Engineering to enhance knowledge of students in PV technology....
Batteries are common in individual household systems. Inverters could help, though their technology is not standardized. Automated demand response using smart meters with microclimate forecasting research is well funded (St. John). Building dedicated (express) feeders for larger PV systems with bidirectional voltage regulators is one response. Avoiding fixed capacitator banks and having the PV system absorb volt-ampere reactives are two other possible solutions (Katiraei and Romero Aguero 69-70). On
South Florida, especially Broward County, has showed the most eagerness, with eighty seven percent in favor of solar energy investment. Central Florida and the Gulf Coast were close behind, and eighty percent of those living in North Florida also favored more state venture for solar energy. While voters of all ages said they approved of spending more on solar, ninety three percent of those between eighteen and thirty four agreed.
This can merely be helpful on local level but not at all on the global level. Radioactive materials in low quantities are present in fossil fuels, chiefly in coal and using them in heavy amounts can have more hazardous effects on the environment causing radioactive contamination globally. This is a much more pressing concern when compared to the radioactive contamination within a nuclear power station as the noxious waste in
Conclusion The research showed that today's dominant energy model remains the centralized, large-scale energy production approach that is focused on satisfying increasing demand in an efficient fashion. The research also showed that the move is on to decentralized energy production through smaller production facilities and so-called micro-systems that supplement and even replace traditional sources of energy. Taken together, it is reasonable to conclude that the successor to today's large-scale centralized energy
In this regard, some exceptions have been given to the insurance companies while the other companies should follow these principles. In the year 2005, the commercial sector of the United Kingdom spent $16,500 million for fossil fuels of 350,000 GWh. On the other hand, researchers have reported that a decline of energy consumption has been observed in the tertiary sector of the United Kingdom (Probst & Roecker, 2011, pg 109-124). Hot
Overview of Study This study used a five-chapter format to achieve the above-stated research purpose. Chapter one of the study was used to introduce the topics under consideration, provide a statement of the problem, the purpose and importance of the study, as well as its scope and rationale. Chapter two provides a critical review of the relevant and peer-reviewed literature, and chapter three more fully describes the study's methodology, including a
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now