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Currently, 50% of Germany’s net electricity is generated from solar energy. Harnessing solar energy to generate electricity is becoming more mainstream as the world moves towards a green future. The International Energy Agency projects that Solar Photo-Voltaic would be the most installed power generation capacity by source by 2040. Solar is slowly being adopted around the world, due to its zero emissions of harmful substances during operation. It is necessary to examine how solar energy is harnessed and the current efficiencies.

Solar energy refers to energy harnessed from the sun. The sun gives off light and heat and these can be harnessed for different activities i.e. the light or heat from the sun can be harnessed for power. Solar energy has been harnessed since 7th Century B.C. where magnifying glasses were first used to concentrate the sun’s rays to make fire (and burn ants). As time passed, the technology improved with Roman bathhouses constructed to have large south facing windows which let the sun’s warmth into the designated area, between the
1st to 4th Century A.D. There have been a large number of historical inventions and innovations aimed at harnessing the sun’s energy to meet human needs, and there will be more of such.

This article will focus on solar energy harnessed to cook food and to produce electricity. The solar collector was invented in 1767, which was later used to cook food in the 1830s. This was relatively earlier than the discovery of the photovoltaic effect in 1839. These technologies have greatly improved in the last century and this article shall examine their operations.

Solar Energy for Producing Electricity

How the Photovoltaic Cell Works
Solar photovoltaic conversion is the conversion of sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) cells react to light by turning part of it into electricity. Silicon is the most used PV cell material, for this reason a lot of research has gone into silicon as a way of understanding PV cells. When light strikes a silicon crystal, it is either reflected, absorbed or goes right through the crystal. Absorbed light (of great energy) upon striking the silicon crystal causes electrons to separate from their bonds. These free electrons are the means by which electricity flows. The electrons are acted upon by a (built-in) potential barrier which causes the electrons to produce a voltage used to drive a current through the circuit. The potential barrier can be created by doping the PV material, i.e. adding an impurity in order to aid electron movement. In 1960, solar cells were 5% efficient, but recent solar cells are 24% efficient, although the majority of solar panels are below 20% efficient.

Photovoltaic System Set-up
There are certain considerations necessary to effectively install a PV system. PV modules (collection of solar cells) need to be mounted where there is direct access to sunlight. PV modules are usually mounted on roofs but can be mounted on the ground as well. It is also necessary to ensure that there is no shading around as even the shadow of a single branch of a
leafless tree can significantly reduce the power output of a solar module. PV modules are conventionally oriented towards the true south but would also work fine (with less efficiency) if on a roof facing east or west. Solar modules (specifically stationary modules) also have to be tilted plus or minus 15° with respect to that location’s geographic latitude, based on the time of the year.
The flow of energy in a stand-alone Photovoltaic system goes thus:
1. Solar Modules (Panel): here, the light rays are converted to electricity.
2. Charge Controller: also referred to as battery charger. Its primary function is the prevention of the overcharging of batteries, which eventually damages them. It regulates the power going into the battery from the solar panels and cuts off excess power. It is necessary for off-grid solar PV systems; in grid-connected systems, excess power goes into the grid.
3. Battery: batteries store direct current (DC) energy for later use. The batteries store energy for use after the solar panels are not receiving sunlight. Types of batteries include Lithium-ion batteries and Lead Acid batteries.
4. Inverter: the inverter converts DC to Alternating Current (AC). The AC is used to run appliances in the building.

Figure 1. Photovoltaic System Energy Flow

Cost Considerations between Photovoltaic System and Natural Gas as Household Energy Source

The major challenge with the solar PV system is the cost of installation. There are no (or very negligible, if any) operating costs involved in using PV systems, yet it is currently the most expensive source of electricity. This is due to the cost of equipment needed to set up a PV system. Producing electricity through natural gas is still the cheapest. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that electricity generated via natural gas combined-cycle will remain cheaper than electricity generated from solar photovoltaic systems. This is ascertained by taking into factor the capital and operating costs of both methods of producing electricity of a period of time.

Figure 2. Compared Cost of Generating Electricity.

Household Cooking Energy: Solar Energy vs Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Cooking with solar energy is done by harnessing the thermal energy coming from the sun. Solar cookers simply concentrate the heat from the sun towards the cooking spot. Some homes powered by solar PV modules use electric cookers; hence, by extension, they cook by means of solar energy. This (indirect) method of cooking with solar energy is not considered in this article. There are about 4 basic methods of using solar energy to cook food. They are:
1. The parabolic solar cooker: this uses curved concentrators (parabolic-shaped reflectors)to direct the sun rays to the base of the oven; thus creating a region of high heat concentration. The food (pot) is placed at the base to be heated. They can reach temperatures as high as 350°c, making it good for grilling and frying.
2. The box solar cooker: these are the most common around the world. The box retains the heat from the sun and as the temperature in the box increases, the pot is heated up and the food is cooked. The box solar cooker can reach temperatures as high as 204°c.
3. The evacuated tube solar cooker: these are fairly new solar cookers. It is made from a large evacuated glass tube which is surrounded by reflector panels. The glass tube can reach temperatures of 290°C. The cooker can be used to cook meat, bread, or vegetables.

Solar cookers are still a work in progress. They take too long to cook meals, sometimes 2 hours longer than firewood. Solar cookers are relatively expensive. A search on Amazon.com showed the cheapest solar cooker costs over $70. This is unattractive as it is limited in efficiency as well as availability. One would not be able to cook with a solar cooker once the sun is not out i.e. solar cookers cannot be used during the early morning or night, or during rainfall. To this end, Cooking gas(Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is still the best bet as it is far cheaper then solar cookers and is independent of the weather.

The technology used to harness the sun’s energy keeps improving with time, and in a few decades, solar energy would be easier to harness. It is therefore necessary to consider natural gas as an available, cheap and efficient source of energy. Natural gas provides relatively cheap electricity, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (a by-product of natural gas processing) is a relatively cheap fuel for cooking. It is imperative that while renewable energy sources are being developed, natural gas (and its products) are used as a bridge to the fully green future.

KiakiaGas Limited is a leading Gas business in Lagos,Nigeria with expertise in LPG retailing, New Gas Market development, Building of Gas Plants and Gas strategy advisory.
If you need a partner with hands-on local expertise in the Nigerian Gas space or any of our bespoke solutions/services, write us at gaspreneur@kiakiagas.com or call/Whatsapp: +2348085269328

kiakiagas:
Currently, 50% of Germany’s net electricity is generated from solar energy. Harnessing solar energy to generate electricity is becoming more mainstream as the world moves towards a green future. The International Energy Agency projects that Solar Photo-Voltaic would be the most installed power generation capacity by source by 2040. Solar is slowly being adopted around the world, due to its zero emissions of harmful substances during operation. It is necessary to examine how solar energy is harnessed and the current efficiencies.

Solar energy refers to energy harnessed from the sun. The sun gives off light and heat and these can be harnessed for different activities i.e. the light or heat from the sun can be harnessed for power. Solar energy has been harnessed since 7th Century B.C. where magnifying glasses were first used to concentrate the sun’s rays to make fire (and burn ants). As time passed, the technology improved with Roman bathhouses constructed to have large south facing windows which let the sun’s warmth into the designated area, between the
1st to 4th Century A.D. There have been a large number of historical inventions and innovations aimed at harnessing the sun’s energy to meet human needs, and there will be more of such.

This article will focus on solar energy harnessed to cook food and to produce electricity. The solar collector was invented in 1767, which was later used to cook food in the 1830s. This was relatively earlier than the discovery of the photovoltaic effect in 1839. These technologies have greatly improved in the last century and this article shall examine their operations.

Solar Energy for Producing Electricity

How the Photovoltaic Cell Works
Solar photovoltaic conversion is the conversion of sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) cells react to light by turning part of it into electricity. Silicon is the most used PV cell material, for this reason a lot of research has gone into silicon as a way of understanding PV cells. When light strikes a silicon crystal, it is either reflected, absorbed or goes right through the crystal. Absorbed light (of great energy) upon striking the silicon crystal causes electrons to separate from their bonds. These free electrons are the means by which electricity flows. The electrons are acted upon by a (built-in) potential barrier which causes the electrons to produce a voltage used to drive a current through the circuit. The potential barrier can be created by doping the PV material, i.e. adding an impurity in order to aid electron movement. In 1960, solar cells were 5% efficient, but recent solar cells are 24% efficient, although the majority of solar panels are below 20% efficient.

Photovoltaic System Set-up
There are certain considerations necessary to effectively install a PV system. PV modules (collection of solar cells) need to be mounted where there is direct access to sunlight. PV modules are usually mounted on roofs but can be mounted on the ground as well. It is also necessary to ensure that there is no shading around as even the shadow of a single branch of a
leafless tree can significantly reduce the power output of a solar module. PV modules are conventionally oriented towards the true south but would also work fine (with less efficiency) if on a roof facing east or west. Solar modules (specifically stationary modules) also have to be tilted plus or minus 15° with respect to that location’s geographic latitude, based on the time of the year.
The flow of energy in a stand-alone Photovoltaic system goes thus:
1. Solar Modules (Panel): here, the light rays are converted to electricity.
2. Charge Controller: also referred to as battery charger. Its primary function is the prevention of the overcharging of batteries, which eventually damages them. It regulates the power going into the battery from the solar panels and cuts off excess power. It is necessary for off-grid solar PV systems; in grid-connected systems, excess power goes into the grid.
3. Battery: batteries store direct current (DC) energy for later use. The batteries store energy for use after the solar panels are not receiving sunlight. Types of batteries include Lithium-ion batteries and Lead Acid batteries.
4. Inverter: the inverter converts DC to Alternating Current (AC). The AC is used to run appliances in the building.

Figure 1. Photovoltaic System Energy Flow

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2025 Outlook: Innovations in Battery Energy Storage Systems



The surge in solar power installations heightens the demand for smart energy storage. Since solar output peaks around midday, the challenge is to capture that surplus and deliver it later, such as in the evening or on overcast days. Battery energy storage systems, or BESS, are the solution that bridges this gap.

Why Battery Storage Is Key for Solar Power

Solar energy shines as one of our cleanest, most plentiful renewables, yet it comes with a clock—it only flows while the sun is up. Battery energy storage systems step in to catch the daylight surplus, letting users tap that power anytime, day or night.

Battery storage systems act like a vault for the sunshine you’ve already paid for. They store the daytime extras, so when the sun dips or demand peaks, you’ve still got energy on hand. Homeowners and businesses tap that bank, using less grid power and protecting themselves from rising rates and blackouts. This benefit is huge in off-grid or rural spots, where a fragile grid might falter. By lowering fossil fuel backups, batteries help everyone shrink their carbon footprint and push our planet a step closer to sustainability.

Key Trends in Battery Energy Storage Systems in 2024

Strong growth in solar power adoption is pushing rapid progress in large-scale battery storage. Here are the most important trends that are shaping the market this year:

As per GMI Research, the MEA Stationary Battery Storage Market size is expected to grow at a robust CAGR in 2027

Higher Energy Density in Lithium-Ion Systems

Lithium-ion batteries remain the backbone of solar storage, and new materials are lifting their performance to new levels. The introduction of silicon-dominant anodes and novel solid-state electrolyte coatings is translating to higher capacity, faster charge rates, and longer cycle life, while safety metrics are also improving through better thermal management.

Solid-State Technology Gaining Traction

Solid-state batteries promise superior energy density and intrinsic safety, as their all-solid architecture eliminates flammable liquid electrolytes. Manufacturing techniques are maturing and costs are decreasing, positioning this technology as an attractive option for residential and utility-scale solar storage where weight and space are critical.

Second-Life Batteries for Energy Storage

An encouraging development in clean energy is the second life given to retired electric vehicle batteries. While they may no longer meet automotive safety and range standards, their remaining capacity is more than adequate for residential and commercial stationary storage. Repurposing these packs slows resource depletion, reduces hazardous waste, and provides economical energy storage, all without the need for new, virgin cells.

Hybrid Energy Storage Solutions

The spotlight is shifting to hybrid storage architectures that combine lithium-ion batteries with flow batteries, ultra-capacitors, or other technologies. Such configurations capitalize on the fast response and high energy density of lithium-ion cells for short-duration spikes, while the longer-duration, more cost-effective flow batteries manage overnight or multi-day storage. For solar applications, hybrid architectures mitigate the intermittency of PV generation and deliver both peaking energy and economical, durable long-term storage.

The Benefits of Battery Storage for Solar Energy

Solar-plus-storage systems deliver several key advantages to users.

Greater Energy Independence

By storing excess daytime solar energy, battery systems empower homeowners and businesses to cut ties with the grid, avoid demand charges, and ride through outages. During high-rate hours, the stored energy offsets the cost of imported kilowatt-hours, translating solar generation into bill savings and greater energy sovereignty.

Grid Stability and Load Management

A battery energy storage system (BESS) keeps the electricity grid balanced by soaking up extra power and then feeding it back during busy times. This cushioning effect stops potential blackouts and eases the strain on expensive peak power plants. The solar owner saves on tricky peak charges, and the surrounding community enjoys a more reliable, affordable energy supply.

Cost Savings and Potential Revenue

Battery storage curbs electricity bills by letting users draw on inexpensive, stored energy during the costliest hours. A number of Stationary Battery Storage now allow homeowners to sell back stored power to the grid, turning surplus sunshine into a new income stream.

For More Info: https://www.gmiresearch.com/report/mea-stationary-battery-storage-market/

Lowering Carbon Emissions

Using stored renewable energy keeps fossil plants offline and cuts greenhouse gas output. The more a battery system is deployed, the more the grid relies on the cleanest energy sources, pushing the whole system closer to a sustainable future.

As the appetite for solar power surges, battery energy storage systems are surging forward, led by breakthroughs that boost cost, density, and lifespan. Companies are refining lithium-ion cell chemistry, introducing silicon-dominant anodes that triple energy density without adding weight. Solid-state electrolytes are moving out of labs, promising faster charging and longer cycling under heat. Meanwhile, virtual power plants are blending rooftop arrays and distributed storage, letting homes trade unused sunshine for savings. Ocean-friendly biobased polymers are replacing PVC in packaging, making recycling simpler while keeping batteries safe. These and other leaps are turning sunlight into round-the-clock, grid-ready power.