Solar thermal and electricity generation

Abstract

We have available to us an abundant, free energy resource: the sun delivers more energy to the Earth in one hour than humanity uses in an entire year. However, solar power only accounts for about 0.7% of the world’s energy supply (US Energy Information Administration, 2013). Even in Victoria the solar resource is world class, with average annual irradiance on par with the sunniest parts of Europe. The north-west of the state has a solar resource as good as Arizona, California and Nevada, but in 2012 solar electricity only provided 1.1% of our electricity demand (Clean Energy Council 2013, Renewable Electricity in Victoria Report 2012).