Sustainability, according to the United Nations Brundtland Commission in 1987, is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (1). With the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda in 2015, sustainability has become a crucial consideration in National and International policy, and a major focal point for environmental advocates who seek to preserve the planet for the generations to come.

A rapidly developing factor in sustainable development, and one highlighted in Sustainable Development Goal 7, is the transition of the energy sector from polluting fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) to sustainable, nondepletable ‘green’ fuels such as solar, wind, and hydro power. Solar panels are one of the more popular forms of green energy, however widespread use is challenged by the expense of converting from one energy source to another, and the cost of the panels themselves. Currently in Canada the cost of a 5 kilo Watt solar panel system is $15 985, a price that is unrealistic to many families. In spite of the hefty expense currently associated with the purchase and installation of solar panels, prices in Canada are expected to decrease by more than $4000 in the next 10 years (2). 

This decrease in price is due to the constant development of technology and infrastructure that enables faster, cheaper, more efficient production. Solar panels have a long and complex history, and research shows that had the concept of sustainable energy been accepted earlier, solar panels would have been much more efficient, widespread, and inexpensive than they are today.

The concept of the photovoltaic effect was discovered by Edmond Becquerel (1820-1891), a French physicist who observed the possibility of creating energy when exposed to light or heat (3). His work was continued by George Cove (b. 1863 or 64), a Canadian inventor and entrepreneur who patented a solar energy device in 1906 that harnessed the power of the photovoltaic effect. Using this ground-breaking invention, he established the worlds first renewable energy corporation, the Sun Electric Generator Corporation, with the intention of mass producing his invention and improving its efficiency. Unfortunately, this plan never came to fruition. In 1909, George Cove was kidnapped and forced to abandon his business and patents, the company collapsed, and the concept fell into obscurity until 40 years later, when Canadian company Bell Electric introduced the concept of a solar cell, which would evolve into the modern solar panel. Research shows that had the SunElectric Generator Corporation continued on its original business plans, solar panels would have become cheaper than coal at least 16 years sooner (4).

Recent technological advancements have greatly advanced sustainable development, with history providing a valuable use case, highlighting the importance of collaboration between countries, communities and individuals. Utilizing innovative, technological solutions is crucial to create a greener, healthier, more sustainable planet for all, and the future generations to come.

Sources:

1. United Nations Academic Impact

https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/sustainability

2. Government of Canada. Canada Energy Regulator. 2022-06-30

https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/market-snapshots/2018/market-snapshot-residential-solar-is-financially-viable-in-some-provinces-territories-but-not-in-others.html

3. Smithsonian Magazine. E. Chu and D. L. Tarazano, U. S. Patent and Trademark Office. 2023

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/sponsored/brief-history-solar-panels-180972006/

4. Lost potential: how the kidnapping of a solar energy pioneer impacted the cost of renewable energy and the climate crisis. Dr S. Srivastav. October 2023. Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment 

Photo Credit: Sun shining from behind clouds over Quebec, Canada. Photo by F.N.Brown