Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 10.11
Features of future buildings with PV integrated onto the
roofs and walls without occupying any additional land. See also Colour
Insert.
In 2004, the cost of a 3 kW solar roof in Germany was about
£
18,000. However, after eight years, this cost has dropped down
to about
£
9,000. This trend will continue in the future due to
improvement of solar panel e
ciency, mass production, and the
competitiveness of the market place. Regardless,
£
9,000 for the
roof of an average house in Europe costing
£
250,000 is not an
unreasonable amount right now. It has a double purpose, roof for
thebuildingandanincomesourcetothehouseholdproducingclean
energy for the future. Since this solar roof cost is still very high
for the average family in a developing country, rapid take-up will
be slow until costs reduce significantly. However, the production
of solar panels locally will reduce this cost by a substantial
amount.
Imagine a country like Sri Lanka, with around two million
developed homes, having 3 kW solar roofs. During daytime, the
power production would be equivalent to 6 GW (Sri Lanka's total
power production today is about 3 GW). This should be the long-
term strategy ofany country inthesun-belt.Also,power generation
is not concentrated in one place, reducing the risk from any
catastrophe in the future — hence 'PVfor Peace'.
