The principles, applications, advantages and disadvantages of two common solar power generation technologies, photovoltaic power generation and photothermal generation are introduced.
Are solar power and energy storage technologies a sustainable future?
The results indicate that solar power generation and energy storage technologies are crucial to achieving a cleaner and more sustainable future, and continued research and development are necessary to improve their efficiency and reduce their costs. Content may be subject to copyright.
What are the challenges in generating power from solar energy?
However, the key challenges in generating power from solar energy are the availability of resources, the local environment, energy storage, social implications, and the price of generated power.
Are solar power technologies suitable for sustainable power generation?
To review the solar power technologies for sustainable power generation, a rigorous literature search has been performed to identify existing relevant studies. The identified studies have been analyzed on the basis of different types of solar power generation technologies and their diverse applications.
When was solar energy invented?
In 1893, the photovoltaic (PV) effect was discovered; after many decades, scientists developed this technology for electricity generation . Based on that, after many years of research and development from scientists worldwide, solar energy technology is classified into two key applications: solar thermal and solar PV.
What is the future of solar energy?
Power generation by fossil-fuel resources has peaked, whilst solar energy is predicted to be at the vanguard of energy generation in the near future. Moreover, it is predicted that by 2050, the generation of solar energy will have increased to 48% due to economic and industrial growth [13, 14].
Is solar photovoltaics ready to power a sustainable future?
A low energy demand scenario for meeting the 1.5 °C target and sustainable development goals without negative emission technologies. Nat. Energy 3, 515–527 (2018). Victoria, M. et al. Solar photovoltaics is ready to power a sustainable future. Joule vol. 5 1041–1056 (Cell Press, 2021). Nemet, G.