The sun can, in principle, provide enough energy for the whole planet. However, quite apart from the expenses associated with solar energy, there is the problem of storing it.
“In practical terms, 20-25 percent of energy could be produced through solar panels without worrying about the issue of storage. If that is to be solved, we could also get to higher percentages,” says Professor Peter Lund from the Aalto University.
Finland trails behind
Solar energy has not got a firm foothold in Finland—solar panels are used mainly in summer cottages.
Lund says that solar energy has not been developed in Finland because the state failed to provide sufficient support to small-scale energy sources.
He says it would have been helpful, for example, if electricity generators had the possibility to sell surplus solar electricity to the grid—in other words, if there was a feed-in tariff.
“I think it’s time to introduce a feed-in tariff for solar energy, and through that private households or small businesses could invest in this field,” Lund stresses.
Solar getting affordable?
The cost of installing solar energy production capacity will drop to one dollar per watt by next year at the latest, Lund estimates. Once that happens, solar power will become a competitive energy source in half of European countries.
“It means that, if a detached house here in Finland wanted to produce all of its electricity using solar power, an investment of some 6,000-7,000 euros would grant cost-free electricity usage for the entire household from that point onwards.”
Lund holds an optimistic view on the future of solar energy. He says that the point is coming when clean sustainable energy will be cheaper than old “dirty” energy.