Solar energy in Germany

Forms of solar energy:

Heat production

-    solar heat: for warm water

*   solar collectors on roofs

Electricity production

-    Photovoltaic: direct production of electricity

*   Solar collectors in many sizes

*   On satellites

-    Solar thermal power stations: heating of a liquid heat transfer medium – often oil – by concentrating sunlight, therewith water evaporates; the evaporated water actuates turbines.

*   Solar tower

*   Parabolic through power plant

​

Where:

-    Power stations can be built in areas with a great insolation (≤ 40. parallel) e.g. in Almeria in Spain.

-    Solar collectors for the production of electricity and warmth can be built everywhere, where is enough insolation. Photovoltaic is good for areas without electricity grid.

Problems:

Solar collectors are producing electricity very irregularly.

Solution: storing of the energy, e.g. in batteries, with photo-electrolysis, in pumped-storage power plants