http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/solar-heat-challenges-photovoltaics-as-power-source/
Summary:
Recently, the demand for constant, yet clean power has sprung as people are starting to gain awareness of the degradation of Earth. Most understand photovoltaics and concentrated solar powers (CSP) as solar panels that can only generate electricity when the sun is out. However, recently, scientists have implemented something into CSP that photovoltaics cannot use. CSPs use liquid salt compound that can remain hot for several hours, allowing them to generate electricity via an electron flow as clouds pass overhead even after sunset. In contrast, photovoltaic panels are completely reliant on sunshine to do so and generate electricity. Another thing that salt is being employed to do is to replace in oil in receiver tubes, serving as both working and transfer fluid in CSP systems, thus mitigating costs and amplifying efficiency. All this sounds great, but there must be prudence in developing facilities dedicated to CSP system as they are not as simple as stand-alone solar panels. Moreover, despite being able to last longer, even in o the night, they require intensive sunshine when the sun actually is out, so they are limited to sun-soaked locations. That being said, some countries such as Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia all have plans to either begin constructing CSP systems and facilities and/or in the process of doing so already.
Reflection:
Despite not possessing any solar technology to generate electricity for my own house, I still appreciate technology that can potentially do such a thing. I always loved when watches and calculators were solar-driven, especially the ones that kept on functioning so long as they absorbed enough sunlight, enough to use then, and store some for later. Such a case has actually occurred with CSPs and on a grander scale, with more than just watches, but possibly, households, towns, cities, countries, etc. Albeit, not every country is doing this and can do it due to their geographic locations and how CSP technology demands sun-soaked environments, I hope that the countries that do implement it succeed and prosper it so that others can follow their path. If it is a success, then wonderful, somewhere on Earth, there is electricity produced in a cleaner and healthier fashion. If it fails, at least some world governments attempted to address environmental issues, thus showing that they have not forsaken the Earth and still care.
Summary:
Recently, the demand for constant, yet clean power has sprung as people are starting to gain awareness of the degradation of Earth. Most understand photovoltaics and concentrated solar powers (CSP) as solar panels that can only generate electricity when the sun is out. However, recently, scientists have implemented something into CSP that photovoltaics cannot use. CSPs use liquid salt compound that can remain hot for several hours, allowing them to generate electricity via an electron flow as clouds pass overhead even after sunset. In contrast, photovoltaic panels are completely reliant on sunshine to do so and generate electricity. Another thing that salt is being employed to do is to replace in oil in receiver tubes, serving as both working and transfer fluid in CSP systems, thus mitigating costs and amplifying efficiency. All this sounds great, but there must be prudence in developing facilities dedicated to CSP system as they are not as simple as stand-alone solar panels. Moreover, despite being able to last longer, even in o the night, they require intensive sunshine when the sun actually is out, so they are limited to sun-soaked locations. That being said, some countries such as Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia all have plans to either begin constructing CSP systems and facilities and/or in the process of doing so already.
Reflection:
Despite not possessing any solar technology to generate electricity for my own house, I still appreciate technology that can potentially do such a thing. I always loved when watches and calculators were solar-driven, especially the ones that kept on functioning so long as they absorbed enough sunlight, enough to use then, and store some for later. Such a case has actually occurred with CSPs and on a grander scale, with more than just watches, but possibly, households, towns, cities, countries, etc. Albeit, not every country is doing this and can do it due to their geographic locations and how CSP technology demands sun-soaked environments, I hope that the countries that do implement it succeed and prosper it so that others can follow their path. If it is a success, then wonderful, somewhere on Earth, there is electricity produced in a cleaner and healthier fashion. If it fails, at least some world governments attempted to address environmental issues, thus showing that they have not forsaken the Earth and still care.