| In a time when renewable energy resources are being | | | | widespread use of solar energy is arguably through |
| developed in a world-wide effort to reduce the harmful | | | | the development and use of Crystalline PV panels. |
| effects we are having on our planet, solar energy is a | | | | These panels are commonly used for decentralized |
| very popular resource being captured in many forms | | | | installations, home generation, and are commonly seen |
| to reduce our dependency upon electricity. Solar | | | | in commercial and residential rooftop installations. |
| power is concentrated in four major technologies | | | | These silicon-based crystalline solar panels remain the |
| which are competing for supremacy in its applications | | | | most popular solar application, although newer |
| throughout the world. These solar advances include | | | | technologies are quickly developing and gaining ground. |
| Solar thermal, Concentrated photovoltaic, Thin-film | | | | The manufacturing costs of the PV panels remain |
| photo voltaics, and Crystalline photo voltaics. Each has | | | | lower than newer technologies despite concerns |
| great potential and certain limitations but their | | | | regarding the supply of silicon that may drive up costs |
| boundaries are widening as their respective technology | | | | in the future. Field experts indicate otherwise stating |
| advances. | | | | that manufacturers are maneuvering to maintain |
| Solar Thermal involves the use of panels to collect | | | | control over their silicon supply chains and combined |
| solar energy to an intense level that can heat water to | | | | with advancing manufacturing techniques, believe |
| boiling point. The resulting steam is then used to drive | | | | prices should continue to fall in the long term. |
| turbines. A primary disadvantage of solar energy is the | | | | The panels, appearing as uniform black squares, are |
| consistent supply of sunlight to the grid. Night fall and | | | | most preferred for rooftop installations. They are |
| cloud cover reduces solar supply, meaning that even in | | | | reliable for about 20 years and are becoming a |
| the sunniest regions there's no guarantee of solar | | | | popular commercial and residential application. They |
| energy supply. | | | | are more space efficient than their thin-film solar panel |
| Solar thermal technologies have advanced to bypass | | | | counterparts and their supporters insist that if installed |
| this limitation by: 1) Using molten salt to store the sun's | | | | in the right position and climate, they offer payback |
| heat overnight, then converting it to steam then | | | | periods over five years. This application has been |
| powering the turbines long after the sun has set, or 2) | | | | available for over 30 years and production costs |
| through integration of a biomass or even fossil fuel | | | | continue to reduce. |
| generator to power the turbines when weather | | | | Thin-film Photo Voltaics Thin film is a modernized solar |
| conditions are not optimal to be solar generated. Solar | | | | technology, but many experts believe it may indicate |
| thermal energy enthusiasts also insist that despite high | | | | the future of solar energy. WIthin the next 5 years |
| overhead and equipment costs, desert solar thermal | | | | they may account for a third of PV panels. |
| farms promise to be far more cost effective than PV | | | | A variety of thin-film technologies are now available, |
| systems. | | | | anywhere from more traditional silicon and glass |
| Concentrated Photo Voltaic is a newer technology | | | | systems to the innovative copper indium gallium |
| using mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays on to PV | | | | solenide cells. These thin-film cells are spectacular at |
| cells. Supporters claim it has a high field durability and | | | | converting indirect sun light. Solar calculators and other |
| about 25 per cent efficiency. This format is ideal for | | | | small instruments are examples of this technology and |
| regions with plenty of sunlight and higher temperatures | | | | thus are best applied in areas with more cloud cover. |
| such as desert regions. On the down side, it is | | | | Thin-film cells can also be produced through the use of |
| inefficient at converting indirect light into energy and | | | | printing press-style manufacturing techniques, meaning |
| thus not suitable for areas commonly used to plenty of | | | | that they could be produced more efficiently and in a |
| cloud cover. Concentrator panels consist mainly of | | | | more cost-effective manner than their more |
| aluminum and glass, while the PV cells can be gallium | | | | established rivals. Meanwhile, the flexible and lighter |
| indium-based so construction of the technology is not | | | | nature of thin-film types indicates that they are more |
| necessarily reliant on currently stretched silicon supplies. | | | | likely to be applied in many applications, ranging |
| Supporters claim it is already relatively cost | | | | anywhere from solar windows to solar clothing. Right |
| competitive, creating energy at less than 15 US cents | | | | now thin film may be relatively expensive and not yet |
| per watt. This technology also does not utilize water, | | | | efficient, but millions of dollars are being invested in |
| also making it attractive for desert climates. | | | | firms who intend to mainstream this promising |
| Crystalline Photo Voltaics The most cost efficient and | | | | technology. |