Solar Thermal versus PV

While both are mechanisms to harness the sun’s energy to utilize as power, both technologies have their differences.

Let’s start with Photovoltaics.

Photovoltaic, or PV for short, has been used to power satellites since the 1950’s and has since been used for many things including calculators and solar panels on commercial and residential buildings.

The rise and popularity of solar cells in the energy industry has had its fluctuations in the past; however, today, solar cells have been holding their ground in space, homes, businesses, and other devices. What never changes are the benefits. Although the market has its fluctuations, PV continues to help customers and investors to save money, be energy efficient, and environmentally clean.

The other solar method of power production is called solar thermal. In fact, the panels can look very similar to PV panels.

Like PV, solar thermal energy has been around for quite some time. In fact, beginning in the early 1980s, the United States decided to build almost 10 energy plants in California’s Mojave Desert to help power over 500,000 homes.

That’s an incredible maneuver don’t you think?

So, how exactly does solar thermal work? Unlike PV, which converts sunlight directly into electricity, solar thermal power plants generate electricity indirectly. In this case, flat collector plates are used to capture the sunlight in order to heat water or some type of liquid. In this scenario, energy from the sun rays is transferred to the liquid. Once the liquid reaches a certain temperature, steam begins to form. The steam then proceeds to power a generator that produces electricity.

Brilliant and simple, so what is there to complain about?

Although solar thermal is a clean, renewable energy that is carbon-free and quite effective like PV, it doesn’t come without its problems.

For example, animals are dying.

You read it right. Solar thermal has actually caused the deaths of many birds and animals due to the cooling ponds for discharged water. The high level of salinity in those particular waters has killed many of the animals that come by to quench their thirst.

The other problem with using solar thermal has to do with sizing and space. Solar thermal generally requires a larger footprint. Even though it is highly effective and efficient in harnessing energy in large areas such as the dessert and power plants, solar thermal isn’t as practical in places such as homes.

So is PV better or Solar Thermal better?

That’s is a highly debated topic that I’d like to save for my next blog titled Why Power Plants Are Switching From Solar Thermal to PV.

For now, what I’d like to say is that for our customers in Northern California, the area we service, we advise and assess your individual goals to give you what is best and suitable for you because one size never fits all. If we feel that we cannot give you optimal energy, we pride ourselves on honesty and on-going positive customer experience and satisfaction.