Anyone know anything about solar energy?

Question

how much energy does it currently provide? how important is it likely to be in the near future? in the more distant future?

Answer 1

As of 2004, the world energy supply is at 11059 Mtoe or million tonnes of oil equivalent. However, solar energy is categories under others and it is only 0.4% of the world supplies. Solar power only contributed about 0.04% of the world energy supply.

This shows that solar power is not an important energy source. This is mainly due to few factors:

* Low conversion efficiency of the solar panel

* Solar insolation is different according to location and season

* Significant losses occurs due to the type of current solar panel is producing

* Huge land area is needed for installation of the solar panel

There are so many factors that can affect the efficiency of the solar panel. However, it is a very good idea to commercialize solar power.

However, in the near future, the contribution of other sources of energy including solar will increase. It is predicted that by 2010, other sources of energy will increase up to 11.1% while by 2030 it will increase up to 11.8%. However, I'm unable to get the estimated value for solar energy.

A great way to harvest the solar energy is by building a solar thermal power station. It is used to generate electricity commercially.