SOLAR OVERVIEW

Solar energy is the most abundant renewable energy source in the world, especially in the regions of the world where the growth in electricity demand is growing most rapidly, such as Asia, Latin America, and Africa. As the costs for solar energy technologies continue to decrease, both large-scale and small-scale developments will accelerate. As with all weather-driven renewable fuels, solar energy is variable, and the fundamental questions remain as to where, when, and in what quantity the sun's energy is available. As the amount of installed solar energy increases, whether it be from large-scale solar thermal facilities, local scale PV systems, or mixed solar hybrid projects, it will become increasingly important that we design, develop, and operate these facilities optimally.