Comments on: IEA Calls for More Support for Solar Thermal Power

By: Ronald Brak

Ronald Brak — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:13:00 +0000

Interestingly, solar hot water systems on average save more money in the areas of Australia that receive less sunshine, on account of how people there use less hot water.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:56:00 +0000

If you live somewhere that the Sun does not set for months at a time then solar can certainly provide a lot of your electricity.

In Barrow Alaska the Sun is up, on average, 12.49 hours per day. There are only four months with less than 9 hours of sunlight. (Those numbers not adjusted for cloud cover.)

As the price of solar drops it could make great sense to use solar for half the year’s electricity and cut fuel use in half.

By: jburt56

jburt56 — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:47:00 +0000

Take a look at Chile!!!

By: Ross

Ross — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 13:28:00 +0000

The choice of colour in that graphic makes it look like solar heating might not be worth it in northern latitudes. Up here it can generate 100% of hot water during the summer and supplement for most of the rest of the year.

By: Uwe Trenkner

Uwe Trenkner — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 19:26:00 +0000

Great to see that the IEA roadmap on solar heating and cooling is covered here! Just one request: Could you please correct the headline – “Solar Thermal Tower” is another name for “Concentration Solar Power” which aims at producing electricity from solar heat. However, the IEA roadmap is on Solar Heating and Cooling and not at all about electricity production.

Thanks!
Uwe Trenkner