ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 567

In these countries, storage of solar power is easily accessible and is a more cost-effective option
as compared to use of diesel generators. In order to maintain a low-carbon generation of energy,
the challenge is to manage the variability in the supply and the capacity of the energy system
(Breeze 2014).
Solar panels that are made from photovoltaic technology have known to cause minimum cost
and maximum efficiency in the generation and storage of solar energy. The crystalline silicon
(c-Si) have been toppled upon the solar panels so that these panels makeup electricity and solar energy at a minor cost. The use of concentrated solar energy power for meeting the cost of
electricity generation has been found to be more costly as compared to c-Si panels. However, the
concentrated solar thermal power technology has a built-in capacity to be integrated into the
electric grid, which increases its flexibility for use. On the other hand, solar hot water is capable of
producing enormous amounts of hot water globally (Bazilian 2013). The aim of this paper is to assess the cost-effectiveness of solar energy in the optimized generation of electricity. Further, the
paper will address the potential advantages of PV systems over the use of conventional system of
power generation.

Environmental Impacts of Energy
Previously, the economic impact of energy generation methods was the only concern for the developing countries. However, the oil crisis and its rising cost is not the only concern in the field of
solar energy development. The risk of environmental degradation has also become apparent due
to an increase in the human population globally. Hence, long-term preventive actions are needed to reduce environmental pollution due to solar energy, which is mandatory for sustainable
growth and economic development. Acid rain (Also called acid precipitation or acid deposition)
is a form of pollution caused by the combustion of fossil fuels producing CO2 (Fig. 2). This pollution also causes the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer and can excessively increase the
amount of UV radiations reaching the ground (Cipollina 2009).

Figure 2: Carbon Dioxide (Total 4.2 Million Tons) deferent location in Kuwait
The impact of solar energy on the climatic pollution can be evaluated by its carbon emission
intensity. Apart from CO2 emission, CO2 equivalent gases such as methane and nitrous oxide are
also released from fossil fuel extraction and agriculture. The use of solar energy as a renewable
source is environmentally safe, as it does not generate carbon dioxide. Instead, solar energy is
generated through use of photovoltaic panel that uses silicon. It is therefore suggested that renewable energy sources could be a competitive option to cope up with the increasing demand

Integration of solar energy systems to reduce environmental impacts in Kuwait

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