Solar energy is shifting from Solar Thermal to Solar Photovoltaics as prices of solar cell manufacturing drop faster worldwide led by China. Solar Thermal is the production of electricity using multiple mirrors reflecting the sun's rays and focusing them on a water line or tank raising temperatures of the water to as high as 1000 degrees fahrenheit. This superheated water is then used to drive turbines, the turbines serve as prime movers for generators.
Solar Thermal companies are having a hard time competing due to higher expenses in start up and eventual operation. There are a few exceptions of course and these companies are not ready to fold up and some of them are even expanding operations. Here are a few of the holdouts:
Bright Source Energy at http://www.brightsourceenergy.com/ with offices in Oakland , California, Israel and Australia. Note that these three locations, in addition to their high technology , are also located geographically where sunshine is plentiful year round.
Abengoa Solar at http://www.abengoasolar.com/corp/web/en/index.html , a Spanish company with operation and production plant in the Mojave Desert area, California.
NextEra Energy at http://www.nexteraenergy.com/news/contents/news_releases.shtml, is planning to construct a Solar Thermal site near Abengoa Solar in the Mojave Desert.
These companies and others may remain competitive with Solar Photovoltaics companies as they continue to be innovative and keeping their production expenses lower. But at the rate that photovoltaics technology is going, it may not be a surprise if the Solar Thermal energy industry could get buried in the years to come.
Joe Joson
USA
emails: joe@mendozasolar.com or blackhawk74@yahoo.com
website: www.mendozasolar.com
Good read! thanks for sharing.
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