Solar Centers

The sun has produced energy for billions of years. Solar energy is free, and its supplies are unlimited. Every year, the Earth absorbs 3,850,000 exajoules (EJ) of solar energy. In one hour, the amount of energy absorbed by the planet's oceans and landmasses is more energy than the world consumes in an entire year. With lower costs and increased efficiency of solar technologies, solar energy is becoming a major player in the renewable energy industry.

One of solar energy's great advantages is that it allows electricity to be produced cleanly in the place where it is consumed, a practice known as distributed generation. Since sunlight hours overlap nicely with peak demand, solar panels produce electricity when it is both most expensive and most needed. Given that peak demand drives the production of new power plants, reducing peak load through large-scale solar generation can improve air quality both by generating electricity without pollution and by making additional peak power plants unnecessary.

Solar energy is a growing technology with tremendous promise, as the photovoltaic industry's annual growth rate suggests. In 2007, the total installed capacity of photovoltaic devices was 8.7 GW. Solar cell production increased by 50% that year to 3,800 megawatts, and has been doubling every two years. The cost of solar energy, which has gone down 71% since 1980, will continue to drop as demand increases and more production capability becomes available. Additionally, conversion efficiency of silicon cells has increased from 4% in 1982 to over 20% for the latest technologies.

There are two basic concepts for tapping the sun's energy: collect its heat or convert its light into electricity. Solar thermal energy can be classified as passive or active. Passive solar techniques include selecting materials with favorable thermal properties, designing spaces that naturally circulate air, and positioning buildings to maximize sun exposure. Active solar techniques use photovoltaic panels, pumps, and fans to convert sunlight into electricity. Active solar technologies increase the supply of energy and are considered supply side technologies, while passive solar technologies reduce the need for alternate resources and are generally considered demand side technologies.

Solar radiation can be converted into electricity in two ways: solar power plants or photovoltaic (PV) devices, commonly known as "solar cells." Solar power plants use mirrors to reflect the heat energy from a large area onto a small space, such as a pipe filled with a fluid. Once the fluid's temperature has been raised to hundreds of degrees, it can be used to boil water and produce steam for a conventional generator. Solar cells, on the other hand, change sunlight directly into electricity. A PV cell is a non-mechanical device usually made from silicon alloys that absorb photons emitted from the sun. The photons hit the silicon atoms in the PV cells, transferring their energy and releasing the electrons from their orbit around the nucleus, thereby generating electricity.

In the space of just one hour, the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the planet's oceans and landmasses is more energy than the world uses in an entire year. Utilizing the latest innovations in solar technology, we are working to enhance our ability to capture more of this abundant energy source. Ever since the first solar cell was built in the late 1880's, we have been approaching the horizon of truly using the sun to create electricity for us on a large scale.

If you think of the term 'solar energy' you probably imagine a solar panel that makes an electrical current. Yet the products and offerings of the solar field are not centered solely on electrical generation. That is the great thing about solar power; it holds promise in many different regards. Solar energy is actually transformed for use, via two different methods...we collect its heat directly (solar thermal) or convert its light into electricity (photovoltaic).

As this technology continues to improve, we are going to see more and more installations throughout the world. There is already significant growth in the home industry in relation to solar energy and it is only a matter of time before the corporate world begins to integrate solar power not only into their buildings construction, but as an alternative energy source to power and heat their businesses and factories as well.

Technology that could make this happen much sooner than later is known as CSP (concentrating solar power) technology. By harnessing the energy of the sun and focusing it on water, power plants have the ability to create steam. This steam in turn is used to operate the turbines that generate electricity. While there several different approaches to this method, parabolic trough technology seems to be the one that most energy companies are focusing on at the present time and have had the most success with.

Because of all of these improvements in solar technology, it is quickly becoming an option for power companies to use. California was one of the first states to jump on board and within a few years expects to have several solar power plants in use to serve as power stations for both homes and businesses alike. This would be instrumental as you could very likely see countries that are continuing to grow and modernize, such as India, make full use of this technology from the outset and make it a primary energy source instead of an alternative one.

Have you ever noticed how it seems like the idea of solar panels have been around forever...but we hardly see them being used? Do people even recall that in 1979, President Carter had solar thermal panels installed on the roof of the White House? Photovoltaics and Solar Thermal have experienced more than their fair share of shade since then. That is all changing now, and solar technology is emerging rapidly from the darkness and into the sunlight.

Currently, even the most conservative estimates have photovoltaic energy production growing at a rate of 15% every year; high estimates are closer to 40%. New government initiatives, tax credits and incentives are cropping up all over the country as the nation responds to the growing trend towards renewable energy. Not only that, but some states are now requiring that their energy companies generate a certain amount of their total energy supply via renewable resources.

In 2007, the total installed capacity of photovoltaic devices was 8.7 GW. Solar cell production increased by 50% that year to 3,800 megawatts, and has been doubling every two years. The cost of solar energy, which has gone down 71% since 1980, will continue to drop as demand increases and more production capability becomes available. When you factor in that more and more companies are working to increase capabilities and decrease the costs of the units that actually capture the suns power, it makes it an even more attractive investment.

On the thermal solar front, additions of ‘green’ building codes and consumer driven desire for energy independence and efficiency have had a significant impact. In 2008 alone, the number of installed solar thermal collectors grew by 50% in England. By 2014, the estimated value of the European solar thermal market is expected to be over $3 billion, up from $1.3 billion in 2008. The US continues to be a world leader in exporting thermal collection units, and as other markets expand, this industry is sure to thrive.

Something that many are not even considering is the housing market. This will create a huge thrust in the solar industry. As the housing market bounces back and construction begins to pick up, you are going to see a significant increase in homes that have solar power built right into them. You may see areas that are literally developed as “green friendly” neighborhoods. When this happens, the solar power industry will explode.

Another consideration is the success of upcoming solar power plants. States like California and Arizona are already making use of CSP technology that involves solar power to generate steam. This steam is then used to power turbines that generate electricity. Spain has already had success with this technology and it is only a matter of time before other parts of Europe fall in line.

The sun is the force behind all existence of life on the planet. It's what controls the climate and the natural environment around us. The light and heat from the sun fuels more than plant and animal life processes, it powers everything from electrical gadgets to factories with little negative environmental impact. Technology is continuing to improve and making what was once an expensive undertaking into one of the most cost effective ways to heat and power your home.

The process of converting sun energy to electricity, using solar panels and other thermal devices does not produce pollution the way industrial power plants do. Photovoltaic (PV) systems offset green house gases - a major contributor to global warming, by producing electric power with no carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. There are also various other forms of conversion that offer no negative effects on the environment. As they continue to be refined, their popularity will rise and so will the value of solar power as an investment opportunity.

Solar energy technology is bringing electricity to undeveloped countries with no infrastructure. The numerous remote applications used in rural or developing areas don't require grids or power lines because of the on-site conversion of sun to electricity. Using solar power for localized applications, like heating and cooking, helps reduce or eliminate deforestation in areas where trees are cut down for fuel. When you look at all the areas of the world that are continuing to be developed, this presents a viable option as a power source without risking further damage to the local and worldwide environment.

Furthermore, this low cost energy option can be used to replace expensive and hazardous dry-cell batteries often used in flashlights and radios in rural or developing areas. The environmental and economical benefits of solar energy are foundational to a healthy and secure future of the world. You can be assured that as both the United States and other countries continue to have success with solar power, the industry will continue to grow.

For that very reason, solar power is an extremely lucrative option for investors to explore. Over the next few years, you are going to see a growth in this specific energy field that has no comparison. The United States alone has dozens of solar power plants that should be fully operational by 2012. With the success of the plant in Spain and the anticipated success of the plants in California, Arizona and Florida, the world will be forced to sit up and take notice of a power source that has been far too neglected until now. When this happens, the investors who are already in place will be the ones to reap the rewards in the form of a financial windfall.