The Role of Solar Photovoltaics and Energy Storage Solutions in a 100% Renewable Energy System for Finland in 2050

Abstract

There are several barriers to achieving an energy system based entirely on renewable energy (RE) in Finland, not the least of which is doubt that high capacities of solar photovoltaics (PV) can be feasible due to long, cold and dark Finnish winters. Technologically, several energy storage options can facilitate high penetrations of solar PV and other variable forms of RE. These options include electric and thermal storage systems in addition to a robust role of Power-to-Gas technology. In an EnergyPLAN simulation of the Finnish energy system for 2050, approximately 45% of electricity produced from solar PV was used directly over the course of the year, which shows the relevance of storage. In terms of public policy, several mechanisms are available to promote various forms of RE. However, many of these are contested in Finland by actors with vested interests in maintaining the status quo rather than by those without confidence in RE conversion or storage technologies. These vested interests must be overcome before a zero fossil carbon future can begin. The results of this study provides insights into how higher capacities of solar PV can be effectively promoted and managed at high latitudes, both north and south.

Public Readiness to Adopt Solar Energy – Responses of Some Finnish Citizens

“…Most of the respondents envisioned the future prospect of solar energy adoption in critical manners and also offered their prediction for the destiny and fortune of solar energy to appear. As observed, most of the respondents were optimistic toward the diffusion of solar energy in Finland, as stressed by [6], [31]. However, they explained few negative comments and challenging scenarios.…”

“…[3] mainly discussed different barriers to solar energy adoption in Finland with some solutions by conducting 19 semi-structured interviews and analysing climate and energy-related Finnish government strategy documents. Many of her findings were reflected in the study conducted by [31].…”

“…Thereby, 17 experts were interviewed who contributed a lot by providing their valuable information, opinions and thoughtful solutions to different issues. With such small sample size, which is common in all qualitative research [3], [30], [31], [33], it was tried to generate valued and depth responses from the respondents and later on, to provide a descriptive and analytical representation of those responses in the findings e.g., [23], [24]. Although following a "maximum variation" strategy 25 ordinary respondents were interviewed for getting all sorts of consumers as theoretically explained in terms of their adoption status, opinions of the 17 experts received the highest importance to dig out generalized information.…”

“…Following a quantitative approach on the Finnish energy system for year 2050 in an EnergyPLAN simulation Ref. [31] found the relevance of solar energy storage. As a second phase of their study, by interviewing 31 experts and interested people they pointed out different technological, economic, institutional and political, and behavioural barriers and related solutions in their discussion.…”

“…Such commercial installation and adoption scope is created by the Helsinki energy company Helen. It is commercial in the sense that individual customer can rent a panel at 4.40 Euros per month and they can deduct the energy each panel produces from their monthly electricity bill as a customer of the company, as stressed by [31]. It is termed in the media as the "community shared solar" project and Helen treats it as "personal panel product."…”