Developing alternatives to non-renewable resources and mounting concerns about environmental changes has made path for the utilisation of other energy sources like solar energy. A promising solution to this energy demand is the making of solar power stations in areas like deserts and agricultural fields. Growing energy demands of electricity in the commercial hubs of Las Vegas, Las Angeles, and the Phoenix is met using solar thermal energy in the United States alone. Lacking molten salt technology solar power plant, Nevada Solar One, became operational in 2007 providing 64 megawatts of electricity.
Globally, more countries are planning, constucting and converting to solar energy as in Australia, North Africa, and Spain. Andasol 1, the solar power plant in the southern part of Spain, became operational in last November and providing 50 megawatts of electricity yearly meeting the needs of 50-60 thousand homes. Andasol 2 will soon start generation in the late summer whereas Andasol 3 is under construction. The copmletion of Andasol solar power project is determined at meeting the energy demands of 150 thousand households.
Stunning claims of the solar thermal energy are observed. Scientists and researchers estimates that a new infrastructure of high voltage, direct current transkission lines if built over less than one percent of world's deserts could generate enough electricity to meet the energy demands in the world. Amazingly enough is the claim that 16,000 squares kilometers solar panel could meet all of the Europe's energy demands.
Solar thermal energy projects experienced a boom in the late 1970s and in the early 1980s. With the lack of governmental sponsoring it came to standstill alongwith the reduction in the fossil fuel prices. Of the renewable energy produced in the United States, presently, electricity generate from the Sun is contributing only one percent, and accounted all together provide only seven percent of the United States power demands. According to Energy Information Administration, in 2007, about 612,000 megawatts of power was generated from the Sun. About 3,100 megawatts fo solar power thermal station are in planing to be functional by 2012, and is calculated to touch 6,400 megawatts in three years worldover.
Globally, more countries are planning, constucting and converting to solar energy as in Australia, North Africa, and Spain. Andasol 1, the solar power plant in the southern part of Spain, became operational in last November and providing 50 megawatts of electricity yearly meeting the needs of 50-60 thousand homes. Andasol 2 will soon start generation in the late summer whereas Andasol 3 is under construction. The copmletion of Andasol solar power project is determined at meeting the energy demands of 150 thousand households.
Stunning claims of the solar thermal energy are observed. Scientists and researchers estimates that a new infrastructure of high voltage, direct current transkission lines if built over less than one percent of world's deserts could generate enough electricity to meet the energy demands in the world. Amazingly enough is the claim that 16,000 squares kilometers solar panel could meet all of the Europe's energy demands.
Solar thermal energy projects experienced a boom in the late 1970s and in the early 1980s. With the lack of governmental sponsoring it came to standstill alongwith the reduction in the fossil fuel prices. Of the renewable energy produced in the United States, presently, electricity generate from the Sun is contributing only one percent, and accounted all together provide only seven percent of the United States power demands. According to Energy Information Administration, in 2007, about 612,000 megawatts of power was generated from the Sun. About 3,100 megawatts fo solar power thermal station are in planing to be functional by 2012, and is calculated to touch 6,400 megawatts in three years worldover.
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