NOVA Season 34 Episode 15 Saved by the Sun

Saved by the Sun, the fifteenth episode of season 34 of NOVA, explores the advancements in solar technology and the potential for solar energy to become the primary source of electricity in the near future.

The episode follows multiple stories, including that of Florida Power & Light's construction of the FPL Babcock Ranch Solar Energy Center, the world's second-largest solar power plant; Elon Musk's Tesla, which is producing solar tiles that blend into a house's design; and researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who are attempting to create a cheap and efficient solar cell using perovskite materials.

The FPL Babcock Ranch Solar Energy Center spans over 400 football fields and provides energy for over 15,000 homes. The plant's construction took only nine months and, besides being an environmental win, also produces cost savings for its consumers. The episode emphasizes solar energy's potential to save customers money on their electric bills and how solar energy companies can make a profit.

Musk's company Tesla is also focusing on solar energy. Tesla's solar tiles are designed to look like traditional roof tiles and come in four different styles to fit any house's aesthetic. Although solar tiles are more expensive and less efficient than traditional solar panels, the tiles' design and sleekness make them an attractive option.

MIT's research into perovskite solar cells could help create more efficient solar cells at a cheaper cost. Current silicon-based solar cells make up 90% of the solar market; perovskite solar cells have the potential to repeat silicon's expansion of solar into the mainstream. Perovskite cells are more flexible, lightweight, and can be printed directly onto a surface. But manufacturing them on a large scale is proving difficult.

The episode frames solar energy as a revolutionary source of power. Solar energy could enable communities to have more control over their power sources and reduce our reliance on other forms of energy. It's a source of clean, renewable energy, and better yet, is already proving to be cost-effective.

Saved by the Sun encourages us to think about our future energy sources and how we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Renewable energy has the power to combat climate change, and harnessing solar energy could be one critical step in reducing our carbon footprint.