Saving the globe from warming; Generating solar electricity from bacteria might be an option.

We might be pleased to know that energy the sun provide for us on the earth for just an hour has the capability to meet the entire demand for energy of the globe for a year. But we just manage to harness just a minor fraction of 0.001 % of the total energy supplied. As at 2016, the contribution of solar energy to entire global electricity generation is just around 1% while other aspects of electricity generation take the remaining 99 %. Energy obtained from the sun is part of renewable energy, though we only take a little bit of this energy source and we depends so much on fossil fuels for the generation of electricity, the side effects of such decision is what entire humanity is struggling with up till date Global Warming_{though am here not to discuss global warming} So let's proceed.

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One of the trending topics about renewable energy is the use of solar energy for electricity generation. It's an alternative means of generating electricity free of particles that can negatively influence the environment. As a means of making our environment safer, renewable energy is gaining ground in it contribution to electricity generation, as several countries of the world are already phasing out energy sources which spell doom for the environment.

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Electricity is what we need daily^{but some of us don't have it}

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When you get to some part of the world, you will realize that, not everyone can even afford to be connected to the national grid, while those that are connected even face hard time to pay for their electricity bill. Meanwhile, some could afford to pay for what ever amount they are billed but they never get power supply for five hours at stretch in a day. To the last category of people, thanks to the agency responsible for electricity generation and distribution who moves at snail pace to meet individual and industrial demands for power supply. So a lot resorts to burning fuels such as diesel, PMS, (Premium motor spirit) popularly refered to as petrol.

You would agree with me that these fuels actually run well with the generating set designed for them and everyone is at least happy that he could have a direct current sufficient enough to meet their daily need not minding the noise pollution and the side effect of the green house gases released from the generating set on the atmosphere.

The assertion above just explained the major problem been faced in Africa. Yes , I mentioned Africa because I came from there and I know that government in some African nations struggle to provide electricity, thanks to some business mogul that are importers of generating set who would never want their business to run down

I know this isn't peculiar to Africa alone, but possibly it might interest someone out there that many of us now depends on the use of photovoltaic cell (PV) , I mean the use of solar panel for our daily lives. This is a welcome idea because it makes us to depend less on national grid and save us from the embarrassment of erratic power supply. Environment even smile at us because we make it to maintain it green appearance.

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Finding Solace in the use of solar energy for electricity generation._{see the new technology of electricity generation from bacteria}

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The sun is known to be a good source of energy not only for photosynthesis in plant but also for electricity generation.
Energy released from the sunlight called solar energy are taken by photovoltaic cells and semiconductors which we have on solar panels.

Solar panels is composed of several solar cells (photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity following the photovoltaic effect) connected together in series and parallel covered by a sheet of glass permitting entry of sunlight and protecting the semi-conductor. The solar panel is placed in a direction such that it capture maximum sunlight. The electricity generated is as a result of electron knocked off from the atoms of the semiconductors when sunlight ray hit the surface of the atoms.

We've discussed and severally read about semiconductors been responsible for the photovoltaic effect, but what about living cells converting solar energy into an electrical energy?

Hahah, please don't let this surprise you because research on the use of solar power in electricity generation never ends. You know that one major deficiency of solar panel is that it is weather dependent, meaning that if the weather is poor, you may not enjoy your panel. Take for instance those that lives where there is consistent dull weather, I mean overcast sky, how would they enjoy their photovoltaic cells? Well, it might interest you that using living cell in place of silicon in the solar panel might bring them respites

Bacteria has been known by alot to be very bad to our health system, myself not exempted though been a scientist I resent a mere mention of bacteria as it is well known to cause food spoilage as well as various diseases, (however, some are known as normal floral of the body: meaning they pose no harm to the body, but rather help the body in metabolism) but this time around, the case is different in that bacteria cell generate electricity cheaply. The cell of the bacteria generate current stronger than ever recorded from solar device. One amazing thing about this bacteria powered solar system is that it power generation is not limited by amount of sunlight available. In other words, it works perfectly both under dim light and and bright light.

In the previous attempt to have biogenic solar cells, scientist had extracted lycopene a natural dye utelized by bacteria for photosynthesis, and also present in ripened tomatoes. The limitation then was that the technology was complex, costly, and also required the use of toxic solvent which can make the dye to loose it effectiveness.

During the research that lead to the discovery of this technology, lycopene was allowed to remain in the photosynthetic bacteria. They however genetically manipulate Escherichia coli so that it can produce large number of the lycopene pigment

flickr.com

Since lycopene is a good absorber of visible light because of the presence of a conjugated electron system (a system whereby we have a compound with an alternate single and double bond), which is rich in electron. So when light incident on the system, electron absorbs photon of right wavelength, and become free from the low energy state to a high energy level. With this principle of operation of electron transition in conjugated system in the presence of photon [light] lycopene became a good tool for solar system.

Lycopene structure:CC BY-SA 4.0
The genetically modified bacteria is then coated with TiO₂ an n-type semiconductor and the mixture is applied to the surface of a glass.

The coated glass then becomes an anode where electrons migrate from. This device generates a current of density 0.686 mA/cm².

The innovation is hopefully believed to be relatively cheaper in comparison with conventional solar panel. What about the bacteria life span? researchers are currently working to ensure that lycopene is unlimitedly generated so that this panel will have a long life span like a conventional solar panel.

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So weather you live close to the equator where there is enough sunshine or you live at Barrow in USA where there is less sunlight, you can use bacteria powered solar panel.

Final note

We can make the globe safe by using renewable energy, and not just that, people who leaves in countries where they consistently experience poor electricity generation can opt for this means of electricity.

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