Photovoltaic:
Photovoltaic devices use semiconducting
materials to convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar radiation, which
is nearly constant outside the Earth's atmosphere, varies with changing
atmospheric conditions (clouds and dust) and the changing position of the Earth
relative to the sun. Nevertheless, almost all U.S. regions have useful solar
resources that can be accessed.
Modules
installed roof
top Modules installed roof top to
produce
electricity
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Post mounted modules for
residential & commercial use
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Invertors
and shut offs for photovoltaic system |
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Solar
thermal:
Solar thermal
devices use direct heat from the sun, concentrating it in some manner to produce
heat at useful temperatures. The modern solar industry began with the oil
embargo of 1973-1974 and was strengthened with the second embargo in 1979. The
growth of the solar industry during this period of fuel shortages and high
prices (1974-1984) soared from 45 solar collector manufacturing firms to 225
firms. The solar market was helped during this period by government assistance,
both Federal and State. Currently, solar thermal devices do everything from
heating swimming pools to creating steam for electricity generation.
Solar Thermal Generators
Stirling Energy
Systems, Inc. (SES)/Boeing, 25 kW Dish Stirling system at sunset.
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This
MicroDish made by Concentrating Technologies uses Spectrolab solar cells. It
is the world's first gird-tied high-concentration CPV system to use the
latest high-efficiency cells. The dual-axis tracking modules use small
mirrors to focus sunlight on high-efficient multi-junction cells. It is
supplying electricity to the Arizona Public Service grid.
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Solar Parks / Farms &
Generators:
Solar parks consist of large arrays of
solar photovoltaic (PV) panels that collect solar power from the sun which is
transformed it into electricity for the local power grid. Solar parks of up to
10 MW generally consist of a minimum of 100 acres of land upon which PV panels
are mounted on racks in flat, unobstructed locations that possess strong solar
resources and good soil for foundations.
Solar parks have been successfully developed
in markets such as Germany and Portugal.
Large scale solar
generators able to feed the grid |
Solar concentrators with steam generators |
Solar Commodity:
After 3 years of rapid
growth, solar thermal collector shipments reported to EIA declined substantially
in 2007. Growth during 2003-2006 was largely due to the rise in energy prices,
concerns about global warming and dependence on foreign sources for oil, and the
Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, H.R. 6111. This Act extended the solar
investment tax credit for one additional year through December 31, 2008.
Simultaneously however, many foreign solar companies have been eyeing U.S. solar
thermal market investment opportunities. They believe that the U.S. solar
thermal market is poised to take off, especially utility-scale solar thermal
power and domestic solar water heating. As a result, these companies began
seriously competing for the U.S. solar thermal market in 2007.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/solarreport/solar.html
Power Purchase Agreement:
A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a legal
contract between an electricity generator and a purchaser of energy or capacity
(power or ancillary services). Such agreements play a key role in the financing
of electricity generating assets. Under the terms of a PPA, the PPA provider
typically assumes the risks and responsibilities of ownership when it purchases,
operates, and maintains the turn-key facility. By clearly defining the output of
a generating asset and the credit of its associated revenue streams, a PPA can
be used by the owner of the asset to raise non-recourse financing from a bank or
other financing counterparty
For further details on proposals and
projects please contact;
Dean Konstantine
deankonstantine@gmx.com
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