This book discusses the development and present day state-of-the-art thermal and photovoltaic solar technologies. It emphasizes current and future applications of photovoltaic equipment in the commercial and utility sectors, highlighting the particulars of large and very large scale power generation plants in the US and around the

Photovoltaics for Commercial and Utilities Power Generation is an in-depth review of the solar industry development, and present day state-of-the-art. It emphasizes current and future applications of photovoltaic equipment in the commercial and utility energy sectors, highlighting its use in large scale power generating plants operating in the U.S. deserts. The book reviews all key aspects of the photovoltaic technologies from a theoretical point of view, looking closely at their design parameters, materials, manufacturing, quality and performance. It also covers the practical applications, focusing on large scale photovoltaics as a major alternative energy source. The author examines the advantages and disadvantages of each of today’s solar technologies and projects them into the future in search of optimized niche markets and maximum utilization. Key technical issues related to: manufacturing and test procedures, product quality and safety, field performance, environmental impact, and other issues are thoroughly analyzed. Lack of standardized manufacturing processes and operating procedures, fluctuating political and regulatory policies, and the different financing, legal and marketing aspects of the solar industry are amidst the topics discussed in detail as well. Photovoltaics for Commercial and Utilities Power Generation provides a 360 degree view of today’s solar energy products and the related manufacturing and operating procedures. It exposes the issues plaguing the solar industry, with the ultimate goal of finding the best solutions as needed to bring photovoltaic technologies to acceptable level of efficient, reliable and cost-effective operation in large scale power generation plants. Large scale PV power generation is one of the keys to meeting the energy and environmental demands of the 21st century. This book identifies the major issues and suggests solutions to the obstacles hindering the large scale deployment of photovoltaics in the U.S. and abroad.

Covering both technical and financial aspects, this professional reference work provides an overview of solar power technology.

Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion - Technologies, Applications and Environmental Impacts features comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge on the photovoltaic solar energy conversion technology and describes its different aspects in the context of most recent scientific and technological advances. It also provides an insight into future developments in this field by covering four distinct topics include "PV Cells and Modules", "Applications of PV Systems", "Life Cycle and Environmental Impacts" and "PV Market and Policies". An up-to-date reference book on the advances of photovoltaic solar energy conversion technology Describes different aspects of PV and PVT technologies in a comprehensive way Provides information on design, development, and monitoring of PV systems Covers applications of PV and PVT systems in the urban, industry, and agriculture sectors Features new concepts, environmental impacts, market and policies of the PV technology

This study presents options to fully unlock the world’s vast solar PV potential over the period until 2050. It builds on IRENA’s global roadmap to scale up renewables and meet climate goals.

Solar energy is a substantial global industry, one that has generated trade disputes among superpowers, threatened the solvency of large energy companies, and prompted serious reconsideration of electric utility regulation rooted in the 1930s. One of the biggest payoffs from solar’s success is not the clean inexpensive electricity it can produce, but the lessons it provides for innovation in other technologies needed to address climate change. Despite the large literature on solar, including analyses of increasingly detailed datasets, the question as to how solar became inexpensive and why it took so long still remains unanswered. Drawing on developments in the US, Japan, Germany, Australia, and China, this book provides a truly comprehensive and international explanation for how solar has become inexpensive. Understanding the reasons for solar’s success enables us to take full advantage of solar’s potential. It can also teach us how to support other low-carbon technologies with analogous properties, including small modular nuclear reactors and direct air capture. However, the urgency of addressing climate change means that a key challenge in applying the solar model is in finding ways to speed up innovation. Offering suggestions and policy recommendations for accelerated innovation is another key contribution of this book. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of energy technology and innovation, climate change and energy analysis and policy, as well as practitioners and policymakers working in the existing and emerging energy industries.