PV Gap

Calvin Said:

why should we switch to solar power?

We Answered:

It will be cheaper for us in the long run. The market dictates cost for natural gas, coal etc. No one will be buying or selling sunlight, so once a system is in place the only increases will be labor and to fund more projects. It's true that solar can't be a stand alone solution, but currently the majority of the electric grid is a mix of sources, so we will just continue with that practice. The fact that no one will be able to manipulate prices is also the reason so many corporations are spending big bucks to convince people it's a bad idea.

Ellen Said:

what is the solar power technologies of today?

We Answered:

There are seven different direct solar technologies today. There are also quite a few indirect solar technologies. The seven might be:

photovoltaic
concentrated photovoltaic
solar power towers
solar chimneys
solar parabolic dish
solar parabolic trough
solar parabolic fresnel lens
solar ponds

You can find more listed here: http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:S…

Philip Said:

Which institutes/colleges can you enroll to learn more about green technologies and solar power?

We Answered:

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has taken a leadership role in developing quality and competency standards for solar and renewable energy professionals and training programs. You can take a look at certified classes available at http://irecusa.org/irec-programs/workfor… They list both 4 year degree programs and multi-day certified technology and installation training.

Glenda Said:

what are The new solar power technologies of today?

We Answered:

Photovoltaics are always trying to be improved upon. Powerfilm for example, their product is relatively new on the scene, and they are doing R&D on their product, either in the form of better conversion by improving and modifying the PV material itself, to improving the production techniques to reduce rejects and otherwise increase output, or in new applications. The same with the fellow who developed the Nickel Metal hydride battery- he lost control of that battery material for automotive use, but he retained rights to other applications, which he has done, and is trying to develop his product for the market for standing seam roofing coated with his material for PV systems. Something Powerfilm has done as well and is in the market.

In that application as PV roofing, the manufacturers tend to stick with established companies and contractors who install standing seam roofing normally.
http://www.powerfilmsolar.com

In other areas, such as passive systems, most of that research is in refining existing systems that were developed in large part in the late 1960s through the 1970's. Many of those original systems have been removed because of life expectancy of many of the systems was only 10 years except for Photovoltaics which have a life expectancy of about 25 years. So the developments in that arena are in the materials used and techniques.

If you are looking for who is making the PV panels, there are many. Sanyo, Samsung, Honda, Powerfilm, Toshiba, Siemens, and numerous others. You would have to look throught the "Thomas Register" to find many of the others because many others are doing the research, but are not currently in production, or their production is being rebranded.

Olga Said:

what is The new solar power technologies?

We Answered:

The new solar power technologies are all about finding possible solutions to make solar cells cheaper and more effective.

http://www.renewables-info.com/interesti…