The dream of SSB plan is going to start the initial stage in "Sahara Solar Energy Research Center" (SSERC) project coordinated by The University of Tokyo (TU).
Table of contents
- Algeria: Sahara Solar Breeder project, an end to oil energy dependency?
- Sahara Solar Breeder Project aims to provide 50 percent of the world’s electricity by 2050
- Algeria: Sahara Solar Breeder project, an end to oil energy dependency? | The North Africa Post
- Related Content on Treehugger.com
The technology for transforming desert sand into silicon and then solar cells doesn't exist yet. Also just a concept: The supergrid that would connect the desert to the world, requiring liquid-nitrogen cooled cables buried deep underground.
Algeria: Sahara Solar Breeder project, an end to oil energy dependency?
The Sahara is the world's second-largest desert. The largest desert is Antarctica , which qualifies due to its low precipitation. Will this Sahara project ever see the light of day?
Is the Sahara desert the best place for manufacturing plants? Why not just export the panels to where they're needed, rather than constructing a supergrid to carry the power?
In this case, we still have a long way to go toward weaning the world off of fossil-fueled electricity. Then again, research like this could change the game.
Sahara Solar Breeder Project aims to provide 50 percent of the world’s electricity by 2050
Europe is already planning to tap into the Sahara for solar electricity with a Desertec project, as previously reported by TreeHugger's Matthew McDermott. Can't get enough TreeHugger? Sign up now and have it sent straight to your inbox. Daily and Weekly newsletters available. Email Address Email is required. Is it a great big idea?
Algeria: Sahara Solar Breeder project, an end to oil energy dependency? | The North Africa Post
Africa Japan Solar Energy. Lindmayer, The solar breeder, in: Energy payback time for silicon photovoltaic systems.
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The energy expenditures of the prevailing manufacturing technology of terrestrial photovoltaic cells and panels were evaluated, including silicon reduction, silicon refinement, crystal growth, cell processing and panel building. Energy expenditures include direct energy, indirect energy, and energy in the form of equipment and overhead expenses. Payback times were development using a conventional solar cell as a test vehicle which allows for the comparison of its energy generating capability with the energies expended during the production process.
Related Content on Treehugger.com
It was found that the energy payback time for a typical solar panel produced by the prevailing technology is 6. Furthermore, this value drops to 3.
Moreover, since the major energy use reductions in terrestrial manufacturing have occurred in cell processing, this payback time directly illustrates the areas where major future energy reductions can be made — silicon refinement, crystal growth, and panel building. BP Solar originally intended its plant in Frederick, Maryland to be a solar breeder, but this plan was cancelled:.
The plan is to build a solar breeder in the Sahara desert, and convert sand there to silicon wafers used in solar panels:.