Written by Michael Vargas Friday, 03 December 2010 15:00
Despite the global financial crisis in 2009, the United States became the second largest photovoltaic (PV) solar energy market in the world, second only to Germany. This growth is credited mainly to the supportive policy implemented by both federal and state governments, particularly the Renewable Energy stimulus package as well as guaranteed financial incentives for the next eight years as introduced by the Obama administration.This unprecedented growth in the US solar PV market also is attributed to the tremendous growth of the market in California, which accounted for more than 70% of the country’s solar PV installations. The California solar PV market got its boost from strong policies implemented by the state government that heavily favored the solar energy industry, as well as statewide campaigns that encouraged use of solar power within the state.The solar PV market is expected to grow much more rapidly in the coming years and will be considered the most cost-effective way of generating electricity. The market would eventually boom as more and more people realize that the advantages they can gain with solar energy are built into the upfront cost they invest for solar PV installations and would be more cost competitive and economical than conventional energy technologies.
Recent Updates on California’s Solar PV Market Solar Panel Installation This decisive action by the state aims to take advantage of its solar energy resources as a major step in addressing the state’s energy challenges, thereby creating a market that favors the development of solar energy technologies. Now, the California solar PV market is the largest in the United States and has attracted a host of PV vendors to cater to it. Existing energy utility companies in California also are jumping into the bandwagon by initiating programs developing their own large-scale solar PV power plants. The Solar Electric Power Association or SEPA is seeing a considerable number of energy utility companies starting their own solar business models, and they have already tracked at least 1500 MW in solar PV initiatives across the country – with the California market going strong at the helm Upcoming Trends and Market Outlook It is projected that within three years, the solar PV market in California will grow to full maturity and eventually will generate cheaper electricity from what is generated from the Grid. At this stage, the California PV market is just a tenth of Germany’s large solar PV market, but in the next four years the market is expected to leapfrog from its current concentration on the residential market and into the commercial sector where the big players – and energy spenders – are. Game Changing PV Technology A new technology is emerging that will change all that. Called concentrated or concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology, the system makes use of lenses or mirrors to concentrate solar energy onto tiny solar cells that are highly efficient in converting solar energy into electricity. Such arrangement is meant to address the number one problem with the use of solar PV systems – the expensive silicon-based solar panel. Although many journals have already reported significant claims on how effective this technology is on a laboratory setting, the challenge remains on whether this technology will be viable in the commercial market. Several companies have taken up this challenge and are now making significant headway by bringing CPV panels out into the market. Understanding Concentrated Photovoltaic Technologies and Its BenefitsConcentrated PhotovoltaicsAs mentioned earlier, the difference in CPV technologies with traditional solar PV cells is on the way sunlight is concentrated, up to 650 times onto high performance solar cells. This will increase the generated electricity, which can be maximized further by the use of tracking systems where the CPV panels can be mounted. CPV panel efficiency considers the panels as a whole and is much lower than cell efficiency. Efficient CPV panels can reach 25%, which is typically twice the efficiency of traditional PV cells. As this efficiency increases the cost for harnessing solar energy decreases, resulting in fewer raw materials required, lower manufacturing costs, and reduced land utilization. The following discusses some of the additional benefits that can be realized with the use of concentrated photovoltaic solar panel technologies:
California Companies Engaged in Developing Concentrated Photovoltaic Technologies
Recent Developments in Concentrated Photovoltaic Technologies Last May, the Victor Valley College and the company SolFocus completed the largest solar power plant in North America utilizing concentrated photovoltaic technologies. The power plant has a capacity of one megawatt, which is more than enough to provide Victor Valley College with clean and renewable energy. Not only will this plant generate significant amounts of energy without significant impacts on land and water, it also can generate green jobs and be used as training facilities for future solar energy professionals – ensuring a bright future for all. Conclusion About the Author |
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