Photovoltaic solutions are growing strong
The boom in demand for photovoltaic energy results from increasing awareness that the living conditions of the world's fast-growing population must be improved without depleting our natural resources or contribute to worldwide pollution (Global warming).
Over 2 billion people in the world have no access to electricity, with most of them living in developing countries. Additionally, the inhabitants are poor and scattered over large open geographic areas. In these areas of the globe, where electrical grids are virtually nonexistent, a reliable supply of power has become a high priority. Such necessities as pumping systems for drinking water and irrigation, lighting, refrigeration in health centers, and schools all depend on it. Use of renewable technologies substantially improves the health and lifestyle of local populations.
Installing conventional generating sets in such areas poses problems of low reliability, high operating cost and adverse environmental impact. In addition, delivering fuel to such sets can be very difficult. The only satisfactory solution today is provided by renewable energy sources, especially photovoltaic systems.
Community specific applications in remote sites, such as navigational aids or telecommunications, also take advantage of the dependable supply of power offered by photovoltaics.
Production of photovoltaic cells and modules in MW
In industrialized countries, photovoltaic energy is one element in efforts to find ways of protecting the environment and reducing CO2 emissions. Photovoltaic parking meters and street lamps are gaining ground, as are terrestrial generating stations or roof-top applications connected to existing grids. Such systems can also help meet sudden peak demand in countries where air conditioners are switched on as the temperature rises during the daytime.
Several major advantages have brought photovoltaic energy into its present phase of maturity:
- it is a stand-alone, self-sufficient source of energy
- it is easy to use and to operate, with essentially no maintenance
- it is modular
- its cost is competitive with available alternatives
Photovoltaic power is far more than an option - it is the solution.
©2003 Matrix Solar Technologies