Solar energy as natural resource utilization in urban areas: Solar energy efficiency literature review

Abstract

Solar power plant is a power generator that utilizes solar cells to transform solar radiation into electrical energy. Solar cells are a direct energy technology. Electrical energy can be produced without the assistance of moving fluids such as vapour or gas. If it is compared with wind, water and biomasses powers, solar cells utilization tend to be much easier and simpler. The aim of this research is to evaluate urban areas potentials to utilize solar cells as solar power plant. The energy of the sun as a stable electricity source would never be damaged and environmental friendly. A solar power plant system is divided into several sections. Solar cells will transform solar energy into electricity. The electricity produced by solar panels will be stored in an accumulator through a charger controller. This charger controller will act as voltage and current regulator in the accumulator. Rooftop solar power plant utilization has improved as much as 170%. At this moment, there are numerous buildings and housings in urban areas that have already installed rooftop solar panels as electricity generator. Jakarta and Surabaya are two major cities that have already implement rooftop solar power plant on top of office buildings, universities, and housings. Rooftop solar power plant is an environmental friendly and a potential electricity generator to be implemented.