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About This Technology

Solar energy is a renewable resource because it is continuously supplied to the earth by the sun. There are two common ways to convert solar energy into electricity: photovoltaic and solar-thermal technologies. Photovoltaic systems consist of wafers made of silicon or other conductive materials. When sunlight hits the wafers, a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in the release of electricity. Solar-thermal technologies concentrate the sun's rays with mirrors or other reflective devices to heat a liquid to create steam, which is then used to turn a generator and create electricity.

Reserves

Solar resources are available everywhere in the United States, although some areas receive less sunlight than others, depending on the climate and seasons. The greatest solar resources are located in the Southwestern states, where sufficient solar energy falls on an area of 100 miles by 100 miles to provide all of the nation's electricity requirements. (U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network, Geothermal Energy Program, CSP Technologies Overview.)

Environmental Impacts
Air Emissions

Emissions associated with generating electricity from solar technologies are negligible because no fuels are combusted.

Water Resource Use

Photovoltaic systems do not require the use of any water to create electricity. Solar-thermal technologies may tap local water resources if the liquid that is being heated to create steam is water. In this case, the water can be re-used after it has been condensed from steam back into water.

Water Discharges

Solar technologies do not discharge any water while creating electricity.

Solid Waste Generation

Solar-thermal technologies do not produce any substantial amount of solid waste while creating electricity. The production of photovoltaic wafers creates very small amounts of hazardous materials that must be handled properly to avert risk to the environment or to people.

Land Resource Use

Photovoltaic systems require a negligible amount of land area because they are typically placed on existing structures. In contrast, solar-thermal technologies may require a significant amount of land, depending upon the specific solar-thermal technology used. Solar energy installations do not usually damage the land they occupy, but they prevent it from being used for other purposes. In addition, photovoltaic systems can negatively affect wildlife habitat because of the amount of land area the technology requires.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/non-hydro.html#solar


Renewable energy sources—
such as wind, solar power, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower—are
becoming an increasingly important part of our nation’s electricity fuel mix. Renewables produce minimal environmental impact and generally have little or no fuel costs.
Renewables also help the electric power industry maintain a diverse fuel mix for electricity generation. Fuel diversity helps to ensure reliable, affordable electricity for our nation’s households and businesses.
The electric power industry, working with industrial and governmental stakeholders, has expanded the use of renewable energy sources for electricity generation over the past 30 years. However, the growing use of renewables presents challenges for the industry, regulators, and legislators, including:
Expanding the nation’s electricity infrastructure system to transport the power generated from typically remote renewables to
population centers where it is needed;
Sustaining financial incentives and other forms of necessary federal support to encourage capital investment in renewables; and, Ensuring the integrity and reliability of the supply and delivery of electricity.
The electric power industry, in coordination with renewable energy
organizations, will continue to develop solutions to these challenges.
Together, we will help ensure that renewables continue to play an important role in meeting our country’s energy needs.

SOLAR ENERGY

The sun has been tapped as an energy source in the form of passive
solar heating for thousands of years. More recently, technologies have been developed that use the sun’s radiant energy to provide steam for industrial processes, to heat fluids through concentration to temperatures that produce electricity in thermal-electric generators, and to produce electric power through photovoltaic cells (PV).

Passive solar energy provides numerous societal benefits: it is cost-effective, readily available, and can have a positive economic impact as the development of technologies creates new industries. Simple applications of passive solar energy are inexpensive and widely used around the world. Solar energy for power generation, however, remains one of the most expensive generating technologies and has yet to become as costeffective
as other sources.

Technologies

Photovoltaics (PV)—PV technology converts sunlight into
electricity by PV cells made of semiconductor material. This
direct use of solar radiation is a rapidly developing technology
that is growing worldwide. PV modules are very versatile and
can be used independently from an electrical grid. Modules are
commonly used on rooftops to provide electricity to homes and
buildings, to power electric cars, and to provide light and power
to rural homes.

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP)—Concentrating solar energy
on reflective surfaces increases the energy intensity, heating
fluids to high temperatures in “receivers” that can be transferred
to generate electric power in thermal-electric generators. CSP
applications are relatively expensive, but the technology can also
be used to increase the efficiency of fossil fuel generation. CSP
then becomes more cost-effective.

Solar Hot Water and Space Heating—Solar water heating
has been used for centuries and is one of the most popular uses
of solar energy. This form of power is cost-effective and helps
to provide hot water to many parts of the world that lack other
power options.

http://www.eei.org/ourissues/ElectricityGeneration/Documents/RenewEngy_broch.pdf



Cheers,
vt.