Solar Thermal: More Efficient, Less Talked About

October 13, 2011
by Antonio Pasolini
2 min read
3 Comments

Photo: International Rivers/Flickr
In most countries solar power is often perceived as synonymous with solar photovoltaic (PV), the classic rooftop panels that convert sunlight to electricity through solar cells. But that could be a misconception, says Environmental Protection, since solar thermal, which gets less attention than PV, actually is more efficient.

Solar thermal is cheaper and more efficient, EP points out. “PV converts 12 per cent of energy into usable electricity at a cost of 25 to 35 cents per kilowatt hour. Solar thermal, which includes solar air and solar water … offers 55 per cent efficiency at 12 to 15 cents per kilowatt hour, and solar air delivers 80 percent at 3 to 9 cents per kilowatt hour”.

If that’s the case, why does PV get more airplay than thermal? Enerconcept Technologies president Christian Vachon says it’s because PV gets most subsidies. “Governments should stop thinking that solar is expensive and needs to be heavily subsidized in order to be sustainable. With PV, we’re putting all our eggs in the longest possible payback basket. Our leaders should instead focus on an energy policy that promotes the lowest-cost energy technology”, he told EP.

Solar thermal electricity can be produced on a large scale as well. Spain recently became home to the world’s first 24/7 solar thermal plant near Seville in the south of the country and it’s expected to produce 110 GW/h per year.

The full article can be read here. What do you think? Should we rebalance the focus given to solar thermal and solar PV?

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About the author

Antonio Pasolini

London-based, Italo-Brazilian journalist and friend of the earth.

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3 Comments

  • This is a great point. In many multifamily building retrofit/rehab projects, evaluations show that solar thermal has the best payback and most financially feasible solar option. There are various incentive programs out there for solar air/water; be sure to do your homework.

  • It’s a great method of alternative energy (solar thermal) and can save many entities plenty of cash while easing up on non-renewable sources. But how can power companies benefit from it? Energy providers get positive flow from pv systems mounted on your house during the day as you become a renewable energy source. In addition, they fulfill the govt requirements of percent of energy provided that us derived from renewable sources. So again how does solar thermal benefit them? Good article, Apasolini.