"The Sun is the primary source of energy for all."
- Solar energy is the cleanest energy.
- The global total solar photovoltaic was 67 gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2011, to be compared with just 1.5 GW in 2000.
- Solar energy usage in the U.S. grew by 50% from 2010 to 2011 and then by 138% in 2012 and by 114% in 2013.
- Luxresearch predicts that the solar photovoltaic (PV) market will grow to $155 billion in 2018,
- The largest solar power plant in the world located in the Mojave Desert, USA.
Increase in PV cell trade
Recent growth in the U.S. and global solar photovoltaic (PV) markets that have expanded U.S. PV production capacity and growing PV production in China, Mexico, and other countries contributed to a $3.2 billion increase in total .S. PV cell. As the table below shows, there has been sharp increase in module trade in the recent years. According to United States International Trade Commission (USITC), "U.S. imports are rising due to increasing crystalline silicon module production in low-cost production locations and a growing U.S. market, while exports are rising due to increasing U.S. production capacity and expanding markets in Canada and Europe.
Recent growth in the U.S. and global solar photovoltaic (PV) markets that have expanded U.S. PV production capacity and growing PV production in China, Mexico, and other countries contributed to a $3.2 billion increase in total .S. PV cell. As the table below shows, there has been sharp increase in module trade in the recent years. According to United States International Trade Commission (USITC), "U.S. imports are rising due to increasing crystalline silicon module production in low-cost production locations and a growing U.S. market, while exports are rising due to increasing U.S. production capacity and expanding markets in Canada and Europe.
HOW DOES SOLAR ENERGY WORKS?
Solar electricity is generated by Photovoltaic (PV) technologies that convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Solar Photovoltaic
Photovoltaic is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct electricity current using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Semiconductor materials make up solar cells and are used to convert photons to electricity. The most popular functions of panels sold in the market are to heat buildings and water. 30-40% of all Mediterranean countries have solar water heaters.
Solar electricity is generated by Photovoltaic (PV) technologies that convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Solar Photovoltaic
Photovoltaic is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct electricity current using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Semiconductor materials make up solar cells and are used to convert photons to electricity. The most popular functions of panels sold in the market are to heat buildings and water. 30-40% of all Mediterranean countries have solar water heaters.
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
CSP is the upgraded version of solar photovoltaic. It is a system in which mirrors are used to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area that increases efficiency. Electrical power is produced when the concentrated light is converted into heat that drives a heat engine connected to electric power generator or powers thermochemical reaction. Its market is growing at a fast pace, and US is the world leader.
Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV)
This is the best version of CSP--it combines PV cells and CSP. Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology uses optics such as lenses or curved mirrors to concentrate a large amount of sunlight onto a small area of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells to generate electricity. Compared to non-concentrated photovoltaics, CPV systems can save money on the cost of the solar cells, since a smaller area of photovoltaic material is required. Because a smaller PV area is required, CPVs can use the more expensive high-efficiency tandem solar cells.
Solar Hot Water works by using the sun's energy to heat domestic hot water supply, radiant heating system or swimming pool.
Solar hot water systems
Solar hot water systems consist of solar collectors, well-insulated storage tanks and are typically active systems with circulating pumps and controls. Ina solar hot water system, the sun heats antifreeze liquid, and the heat is transferred by way of a heat exchanger to the domestic hot water supply.
Solar hot water systems
Solar hot water systems consist of solar collectors, well-insulated storage tanks and are typically active systems with circulating pumps and controls. Ina solar hot water system, the sun heats antifreeze liquid, and the heat is transferred by way of a heat exchanger to the domestic hot water supply.
Types of Solar hot water systems
IS SOLAR ENERGY A GOOD OPTION FOR ME?
Solar energy will meet up to 100 percent of your electric needs at home. You can install PV modules on your roof or in a yard or field near your home. A solar electric system can be either grid-tied or off grid. Generally PV systems are connected to the electric grid and do not have battery back-up.
The tree main factors that determine whether your site is a good one to set up solar PV are shading, orientation (compass direction) and tilt (slant).
Solar energy will meet up to 100 percent of your electric needs at home. You can install PV modules on your roof or in a yard or field near your home. A solar electric system can be either grid-tied or off grid. Generally PV systems are connected to the electric grid and do not have battery back-up.
The tree main factors that determine whether your site is a good one to set up solar PV are shading, orientation (compass direction) and tilt (slant).
2012--RECORD-BREAKING YEAR OF SOLAR MARKET IN THE US
Solar energy is the fastest growing energy source in the U.S. Thanks to the decrease in the cost of solar for consumers, the market size of the U.S. solar industry grew faster and marked another record-breaking year in 2012.
Solar energy is the fastest growing energy source in the U.S. Thanks to the decrease in the cost of solar for consumers, the market size of the U.S. solar industry grew faster and marked another record-breaking year in 2012.
- The market size grew 34% from $8.6 billion in 2011 to $11.5 billion in 2012.
- 3,313 MW of solar PV installed in 2012
- California became the first state to install over 1,000 MW in one year.
- The residential and utility segments installed 144 MW and 874 MW respectively.
- The industry faced newly-imposed tariffs on Chinese solar cells and consolidation in the manufacturing space.
Top 10 largest state solar markets
(by MW of PV installed) in 2012
1. California - 1,033
2. Arizona - 710
3. New Jersey - 415
4. Nevada - 198
5. North Carolina - 132
6. Massachusetts - 129
7. Hawaii - 109
8. Maryland - 74
9. Texas - 64
10. New York - 60
PV installations and weighted average installed price in the US
(Source: U.S. Solar Market Insight, Year-in-Review 2012)
COMPANIES USING SOLAR ENERGY
SHORTCOMINGS
Although the positive environmental impacts, such as no air or water pollution and no greenhouse gases that solar energy produces, outweigh the negative impacts, there exists number of problems that prevent use of solar energy coming to life. Economical Aspects
Dependency: Renewable energy in general and solar energy in specific are not enough. A high portion of energy still comes from traditional kinds of power stations to meet the demand. Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
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SOLUTIONS
For economical problems of solar energy, the provided solutions below have been developed.
It is important to fix some serious misconceptions about solar energy in the first place. Many of the problems causing the misconceptions have improved due to technological innovations. |