Solar Energy

Corkfeen · 26-08-2009, 00:17

Thought this might be the best place to ask about it. Sort of interested in this subject at the moment.

How do the solar companies decide where to put the panels for the greatest efficency or is it just simply wherever they think it would be?

What companies currently primarily develop the technology behind it?

In places like spain and the likes would they be generally as efficent as possible besides eventual advances in the background tech?

In your opinion is solar power where energy production will lie in the years to come or will it jump to some alternative power (Primarily abroad, doesn't look truly achievable with our weather).

I'm not very well informed so hope i haven't made any errors.

drunken_munky52 · 26-08-2009, 15:07

It it not economical to manufacture high effciency cells and use them in climates such as Ireland's.

It makes more economic sense to makes average efficiency cells and place them where high solar irradiance exists.

Even higher efficiencies can now be gained through using HVDC tranmission systems rather that HVAC types.

The future of solar power plants in Europe will be mostly based in the Mediterranean regions and proposals for large arrays to be placed in the Sahara desert are now likely in the future. Again HDVC transmission will be the way this goes.

mawk · 27-08-2009, 12:46

in my opinion, solar power is NOT where the future lies. Specialist applications aside. Fast breeder nuclear or at some point, fusion is where the future crop lies. In the mean time the important thing is conservation and smart metering. I like renewable energy as a hobby and have built my own turbines both at college and at home, but imho its not the solution to the global energy needs.

26-08-2009, 00:17	#1
Corkfeen Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Corcaigh Posts: 543 Adverts \| Friends	Solar Energy Thought this might be the best place to ask about it. Sort of interested in this subject at the moment. How do the solar companies decide where to put the panels for the greatest efficency or is it just simply wherever they think it would be? What companies currently primarily develop the technology behind it? In places like spain and the likes would they be generally as efficent as possible besides eventual advances in the background tech? In your opinion is solar power where energy production will lie in the years to come or will it jump to some alternative power (Primarily abroad, doesn't look truly achievable with our weather). I'm not very well informed so hope i haven't made any errors. __________________ Flickr

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26-08-2009, 15:07	#2
drunken_munky52 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 538 Adverts \| Friends	It it not economical to manufacture high effciency cells and use them in climates such as Ireland's. It makes more economic sense to makes average efficiency cells and place them where high solar irradiance exists. Even higher efficiencies can now be gained through using HVDC tranmission systems rather that HVAC types. The future of solar power plants in Europe will be mostly based in the Mediterranean regions and proposals for large arrays to be placed in the Sahara desert are now likely in the future. Again HDVC transmission will be the way this goes.

27-08-2009, 12:46	#3
mawk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: cork which is the real capital Posts: 968 Adverts \| Friends	in my opinion, solar power is NOT where the future lies. Specialist applications aside. Fast breeder nuclear or at some point, fusion is where the future crop lies. In the mean time the important thing is conservation and smart metering. I like renewable energy as a hobby and have built my own turbines both at college and at home, but imho its not the solution to the global energy needs.