Solar thermal projects gather steam -- and opposition

Solar thermal projects gather steam -- and opposition from the LA Times. I have a guess the reporter spent a bit of time with the Solar Thermal People, and next to none on Photovoltaics. The prospective of the entire article is pretty pro Solar Thermal.

Interesting...

Solar Thermal

1st solar-thermal in years is on - McClatchy Washington Bureau and it's in California!

Combined Photovoltaic Thermal Solar Systems

I was looking at the thermal solar system my daughter's friend has at her house, and I wondered if anyone was selling a combined system. Since a huge cost is the housing and photovoltaic does not like to much heat, this could be a win win solution.

IEEE has done some work on it - Control of a combined photovoltaic / thermal energy syste

Seems to be a lot of research last energy crisis into this, but I am not seeing any products yet.

Solar Thermal

Sick of high energy bills, our columnist investigates solar options from the WSJ. Great diagram and explanation of how a Solar Thermal system works. I was surprised by the cost and adding the water/glycol mixture. In areas that freeze, this does make sense. I am not sure about Southern California. The water heater makes sense with the extra cost having a tankless, but the picture here shows one with a tank. Not how the rebates end in 2008.

Solar thermal technology heats up

Solar thermal technology heats up per EE Times.

Key Points:

• Solar thermal power-generating costs could drop from about $4.25 per watt in 2008 to $2.5 per watt by 2020.
• Solar Thermal can store power for use after 5PM (steam stays hot for a while).
• Best for large scale utility projects.