Role of Solar Energy in Achieving Global Net-Zero Targets: Policy and Technological Perspective

Authors

  • Asadullah Muhammad Hossain Saad Power and Engineering, East Coast Group (Omera Renewable Energy Limited), Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • A. Myat Architecture, Four Walls, Dhaka, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54536/ajenr.v4i1.3828

Keywords:

Climate Change Mitigation, Decarbonization, Energy Policy, Net-Zero Emissions, Perovskite Solar Cells

Abstract

Solar Energy Essential in Global Drive for Net Zero Emissions This paper sets out to address the complex role of solar power as an enabler for decarbonization, highlighting both policy and technology-related matters. We assess the effectiveness of different policy instruments in fostering solar energy uptake: financial incentives and regulatory frameworks that level the playing field with other technologies or curtail them by limiting, e.g., fossil fuel use, carbon pricing mechanisms, and international cooperation. We also review key technological advancements in photovoltaics, energy storage, and grid integration that are essential for solar energy to play an optimized role in a sustainable energy future. For these intents and purposes, we explore how new technologies such as perovskite solar cells (PSCs), concentrated solar power (CSP), or building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) could offer a significant enhancement of efficiency and dynamism in converting sunlight into electricity. Case We explore the dos and don’ts of being a perfect project through stories from successful solar energy integration projects. We assess the challenges and opportunities associated with solar powering in the future, underscoring the provision of cohesive policy as well as technology road-maps to achieve global net-zero targets. Our study underscores the potential of solar energy as a transformative resource. It provides direction to policy-makers, scholars, and industry actors regarding pathways that may accelerate the deployment of this increasingly vital renewable technology.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

A New Era of Policy in Solar Geoengineering - Kleinman Center for Energy Policy. (2024, January 12). Kleinman Center for Energy Policy. https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/a-new-era-of-policy-in-solar-geoengineering/

Bhandari, K. R., & Adhikari, N. P. (2020). Grid Integration of Solar and Solar/Wind Hybrid Mini-Grid Projects: A Case of Solar/Wind Hybrid Mini-Grid Project Implemented by AEPC. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 15(3), 42–48. https://doi.org/10.3126/jie.v15i3.32004

Bijarniya, J. P., Sudhakar, K., & Baredar, P. (2016). Concentrated solar power technology in India: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 63, 593–603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.05.064

Binetti, S. (2010). Silicon-based solar cells: Research progress and future perspectives. Source Xplore Conference: Group IV Photonics (GFP). In 7th IEEE International Conference on Group IV Photonics, Beijing, China (pp. 189-191). https://doi.org/10.1109/group4.2010.5643385

Blanco, C. F., Cucurachi, S., Dimroth, F., Guinée, J. B., Peijnenburg, W. J. G. M., & Vijver, M. G. (2020). Environmental impacts of III–V/silicon photovoltaics: life cycle assessment and guidance for sustainable manufacturing. Energy & Environmental Science, 13(11), 4280–4290. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ee01039a

Castellanos, S., Sunter, D. A., & Kammen, D. M. (2021). Exploring rooftop solar photovoltaics deployment and energy injustice in the US through a data-driven approach. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 109–128). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-817976-5.00007-3

Hermawan, E., Wijono, R. A., Adiarso, A., Setiadi, E. D., Hidayati, N. A., Setiadi, S., Setiawan, H., Ferabianie, A. L., Dewi, Y. R., & Fatmakartika, O. (2023). Solar Cell Manufacturing Cost Analysis and its Impact to Solar Power Electricity Price in Indonesia. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 13(6), 244–258. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.14970

Hosenuzzaman, M., Rahim, N., Selvaraj, J., Hasanuzzaman, M., Malek, A., & Nahar, A. (2014). Global prospects, progress, policies, and environmental impact of solar photovoltaic power generation. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 41, 284–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.08.046

Huang, Y., Kavanagh, S. R., Scanlon, D. O., Walsh, A., & Hoye, R. L. Z. (2020). Perovskite-inspired materials for photovoltaics and beyond—from design to devices. Nanotechnology, 32(13), 132004. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/abcf6d

Kim, J., Suharto, Y., & Daim, T. U. (2017). Evaluation of Electrical Energy Storage (EES) technologies for renewable energy: A case from the US Pacific Northwest. Journal of Energy Storage, 11, 25–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2017.01.003

Kini, G. P., Jeon, S. J., & Moon, D. K. (2021). Latest Progress on Photoabsorbent Materials for Multifunctional Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells. Advanced Functional Materials, 31(15). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202007931

Lewis, N. S. (2016). Research opportunities to advance solar energy utilization. Science, 351(6271). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aad1920

Martin, G. (1996). Renewable energy and the ODA. Renewable Energy, 9(1–4), 1098–1103. https://doi.org/10.1016/0960-1481(96)88470-9

Morgera A. F. , & Lughi, V. (2015). Frontiers of photovoltaic technology: A review. International Conference on Clean Electrical Power (ICCEP), 809, 115–121. https://doi.org/10.1109/iccep.2015.7177610

Morris, J., Calhoun, K., Goodman, J., & Seif, D. (2014). Reducing solar PV soft costs: A focus on installation labor. 2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 3356–3361. https://doi.org/10.1109/pvsc.2014.6925654

Morris, J., Chen, Y. H., Gurgel, A., Reilly, J., & Sokolov, A. (2023). NET ZERO EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES BY 2050: ACHIEVABLE AND AT WHAT COST? Climate Change Economics, 14(04). https://doi.org/10.1142/s201000782340002x

Nalus, K. M. (2023). Sustainable Ecopreneurship: Solar Energy Solutions in Commercial Real Estate. American Journal of Economics and Business Innovation, 2(3), 179–191. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajebi.v2i3.2146

Olaoye, G., & Akinyele, D. (2024, July 1). Design and Optimization of Off-Grid Solar Power Systems for Rural Electrification. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382141497_Design_and_Optimization_of_Off-Grid_Solar_Power_Systems_for_Rural_Electrification

Olatomiwa, L., Mekhilef, S., Ismail, & Moghavvemi, M. (2016). Energy management strategies in hybrid renewable energy systems: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 62, 821–835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.05.040

Paul, D. I., & Uhomoibhi, J. (2012). Solar power generation for ICT and sustainable development in emerging economies. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 29(4), 213–225. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650741211253813

Pelay, U., Luo, L., Fan, Y., Stitou, D., & Rood, M. (2017). Thermal energy storage systems for concentrated solar power plants. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 79, 82–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.03.139

Rocha, C., Radatz, P., & Kagan, N. (2018). Voltage regulators operational stress analysis and reduction in distribution systems with distributed generation. 2018 Simposio Brasileiro De Sistemas Eletricos (SBSE). https://doi.org/10.1109/sbse.2018.8395806

Rong, Y., Hu, Y., Mei, A., Tan, H., Saidaminov, M. I., Seok, S. I., McGehee, M. D., Sargent, E. H., & Han, H. (2018). Challenges for commercializing perovskite solar cells. Science, 361(6408). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat8235

Sener, C., & Fthenakis, V. (2014). Energy policy and financing options to achieve solar energy grid penetration targets: Accounting for external costs. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 32, 854–868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.01.030

Singh, G. K. (2013). Solar power generation by PV (photovoltaic) technology: A review. Energy, 53, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.02.057.

Timilsina Govinda, R., Kurdgelashvili, L., Patrick, A., & Narbel. (2012) Solar energy: Markets, economics and policies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(1), 449-465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.08.009.

Ukoba, K., Yoro, K. O., Eterigho-Ikelegbe, O., Ibegbulam, C., & Jen, T. (2024). Adaptation of solar energy in the Global South: Prospects, challenges and opportunities. Heliyon, 10(7), e28009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28009

Victoria, M., Haegel, N., Peters, I. M., Sinton, R., Jäger-Waldau, A., Del Cañizo, C., Breyer, C., Stocks, M., Blakers, A., Kaizuka, I., Komoto, K., & Smets, A. (2021). Solar photovoltaics is ready to power a sustainable future. Joule, 5(5), 1041–1056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2021.03.005

Vo, T. T. E., Ko, H., Huh, J., & Park, N. (2021). Overview of Solar Energy for Aquaculture: The Potential and Future Trends. Energies, 14(21), 6923. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14216923

Wang, Y. L., & Shao, S. (2014). Research on the Fiscal and Taxation Policies to Promote the Development of Renewable Energy. Advanced Materials Research, 1073–1076. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.1073-1076.2483

Wen, D., Gao, W., Qian, F., Gu, Q., & Ren, J. (2020). Development of solar photovoltaic industry and market in China, Germany, Japan and the United States of America using incentive policies. Energy Exploration & Exploitation, 39(5), 1429–1456. https://doi.org/10.1177/0144598720979256

Williams, J. H., Jones, R. A., & Torn, M. S. (2021). Observations on the transition to a net-zero energy system in the United States. Energy and Climate Change, 2, 100050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egycc.2021.100050

Yesel, B. K., Eslinger, J. J., Nord, M., Selvaraj, D. F., & Ranganathan, P. (2019). Feasibility Study of Solar Energy System at the University of North Dakota. Conference: North American Power Symposium (NAPS). https://doi.org/10.1109/naps46351.2019.9000206

Zeineb, A., Rashid, A. M., & Alammari, A. G. (2015), Review of policies encouraging renewable energy integration & best practices. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 45, 249-262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.01.035.

Downloads

Published

2025-01-24

How to Cite

Role of Solar Energy in Achieving Global Net-Zero Targets: Policy and Technological Perspective. (2025). American Journal of Energy and Natural Resources, 4(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajenr.v4i1.3828

Similar Articles

1-10 of 14

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.