Environmentally Preferable Sources of Electricity

Solar

The sun's radiation is used directly to produce electricity in two ways, photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar thermal systems. PV systems change sunlight directly into electricity. PV panels are commonly used in areas where it is cheaper than running electrical wires or using batteries, including: rural homes, remote research stations, freeway call boxes, or solar-powered calculators. Solar thermal systems use the sun's energy to heat a fluid that produces steam, which then turns a turbine and generator.

The price of PV cells, once very high, has dropped steadily by half every five years over the last 25 years. As the economics of PV continue to improve, the number installed will increase exponentially. The potential for PV expansion is vast. Solar might not be able to provide a lot of power, but it can be considered the safest in than any other source, such as, natural gas, coal, and nuclear.