PV Gap

Edith Said:

How does USA compare solar energy to other countries?

We Answered:

Suntech Power (STP) is a manufacturer of cells and panels. Here are some tidbits gleaned from their recent conference call:

US market expected to be 400 to 700MW in '09 as compared to a total global market of 5GW (so US ain't the 800lb gorilla). STP expecting to ship 80MW in US in '09, up from 40MW in '08.

Growing 09 demand from France, Italy, Japan (regional diversification)

Germany #1, Japan #2, US distant 3rd or 4th.

Link to transcript of the call below.

Miriam Said:

what part of the usa is best for solar energy?

We Answered:

The desert states as they have little cloud cover and hardly any trees to get in the way. Nevada, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, North and South Dakota, eastern Oregon, Washington and California, and Western parts of Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Beatrice Said:

Does anyone know anything about solar energy?

We Answered:

Solar power usually refers to making electricity from the sun. Solar energy may refer to this and also sometimes using the heat energy from the sun. Thermal solar collectors may use solar energy to make solar power.

Solar energy is only beginning to be explored in our society. In other societies (ancient Greece for example) there were laws to prevent one person from blocking the sun from the land of another as the sun was important for heating. The sun's energy stored in chemical bonds has been very common in our society. Oil is king. This has marginalized direct solar energy use. The amount of Solar energy in our society depends upon what you are including. Direct Solar? Wind? Biomass? Hydro generation? Here is one site that adds it up to 13%: >http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=21381…

2 the economics of solar is also subject to definitions. Real cost or cost including politically gained subsidies. Gasoline may cost $3.00 at the pump but estimates of its real cost are from $10 to more than $20. Nuclear power is also heavily subsidized. Solar is just getting into the game and is taking time to get its political markers in place. When it comes to efficiency solar is far more direct and has some distinct advantages. http://www.catalystmagazine.com/componen… http://evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=1… http://www.ringnebula.com/project-censor… http://environment.about.com/od/renewabl…

3. Direct Solar energy and renewable solar energy is substantially more eco friendly than using fossil solar energy. Shading environments with solar collectors changes environments this may have effects to be considered. Some large scale solar power installations need water in environments where this is scarce. Wind generators may have an adverse effect on flying wildlife. And hydroelectric dam may add unusual pressure on the Earth's crust. http://solareis.anl.gov/guide/environmen… http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/us/27s…