When thinking of sunny days, images of Hawaii, the Mediterranean, and tropical islands along the equator often spring to mind. Germany usually does not, but few countries have been as quick to embrace the renewable energy provided by the sun as this European nation. Germany’s solar cells market was the fastest growing from 2006 through 2007. As of 2008, 35% of the world’s photovoltaic power production occurred in Germany. Solar cells gather the sun’s rays and convert it to photovoltaic power in the form of electricity. This electricity is then distributed to homes and businesses in sections known as grids. Think of the strings of a tennis racquet and you get the idea. Any entity that actively supplies and distributes electricity to the grid is considered tied-in. At the beginning of 2006, 88% of the European Union’s grid-tied electrical applications were located in Germany. Further illustrating Germany’s promotion of gathering renewable energy with solar cells, the country saw a 110% increase of photovoltaic installations in one year between 2007 and 2008. Further solar cell technology is being advanced at the University of Freiburg. Researchers here have greatly increased the efficiency of hybrid solar cells. Inorganic particles mix with organic polymers to create layer surrounding the solar cell. The goal is to surpass the current record of 7% efficiency achieved through purely organic solar cells. Hybrids can also be produced more quickly and cheaply than silicon cells, and are thinner, thus taking up less space. Eventually, it is hoped that hybrid solar cells will decrease the dependence upon batteries, which have corrosive and environmentally harmful components. Frankfurt is currently experiencing the benefits of the renewable energy of solar cells. On March 31, 2009, a small vehicle recharging station began operations. Small vehicles such as electric bicycles, scooters, and Segways can stop by to receive a free charge of solar fuel provided by the solar panels perched on the station’s roof. Annually, solar cells at the Frankfurt station produce enough photovoltaic energy to supply a normal scooter with up to 115,000 km of travel. Evergreen Solar, the corporation behind the station, chose a busy section of Frankfurt in order to display the environmentally friendly benefits of electric vehicles in an area dominated by those fueled by petroleum-based materials. Along with Japan and the United States, Germany accounts for almost 89% of the world’s solar cells capable of electricity production. With advancements in hybrid technology and the construction of more recharging stations, the use of the sun’s renewable energy is sure to increase.
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