How Mexico is Making Renewable Energy Cool
Mexico's untapped solar potential, receiving 175,000 terawatts from the Sun annually, could power our needs. Despite progress, reaching renewable energy goals requires collaboration and innovation to make solar power stable, efficient, and accessible.
The Sun, our cosmic powerhouse, showers the Earth with an astonishing 175,000 terawatts (TW) of energy each year. To put that number into perspective, we mere humans consume a relatively modest 17 TW during the same period. It's a mind-boggling statistic that underscores the untapped potential of solar energy. However, harnessing this vast energy source and transitioning to renewables is easier said than done. Dr. José Luis Maldonado Rivera, a scientist at the Center for Research in Optics (CIO), knows it's time for a change.
Picture this: the energy the Earth receives from the Sun in just 1.5 hours could power our world for an entire year. That's an astronomical amount of energy waiting to be harvested. Dr. Maldonado Rivera spoke to a group of eager students at the Institute of Nuclear Sciences of the UNAM. He clarified it that we have the potential to satisfy our current energy needs if we learn to harness the Sun's bounty effectively.
Mexico is uniquely positioned to become a renewable energy powerhouse. With its vast solar wealth, some regions receive a whopping 130 watts of solar radiation per square meter. What's even more exciting is that this high radiation persists year-round. Despite its size being only a quarter of Mexico's territory, Germany leads the world in electricity generation through photovoltaic systems, even though it receives only half of the solar irradiation that Mexico enjoys.
However, despite Mexico's abundant solar resources, it's still not at the top of the list when it comes to electricity generation. At the heart of the issue is the utilization of solar cells. According to Dr. Maldonado Rivera, there are up to four generations of these devices. From silicon-based cells to thin-film technologies and low-cost options like those using copper, gallium, and selenium, the evolution of solar cells has been impressive. But the latest generation, organic photovoltaic cells, is the most efficient.
Yet, the challenge isn't just about efficiency, but also stability. The next generation of solar cells must be not only highly efficient, but also easy to replace if they fail. Achieving this goal is essential for the widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions.
Mexico has set ambitious targets with the Energy Transition Law, which mandates achieving approximately 35 percent clean electric energy production by 2024. While the nation has made progress, it's not quite there yet. Transitioning to renewable energy sources is a complex and lengthy process that requires the combined efforts of academia, industry, and government.
In conclusion, the journey towards embracing renewable energy is a marathon, not a sprint. Dr. Maldonado Rivera's insights shed light on the abundant potential Mexico holds in terms of solar energy. With continued research and collaboration between various sectors, Mexico is poised to lead the charge in the clean energy revolution. The Sun, a cosmic wellspring of power, is shining down on us with boundless opportunities. It's time to tap into this celestial bounty and shape a cleaner, brighter future for Mexico and the world.
