Alternative Energy Solar Power Explained

Alternative energy solutions leverage renewables like solar PV and wind turbines, with battery storage, smart grids, power electronics, and advanced inverters enabling grid integration, microgrids, load balancing, and high-efficiency electrical systems.

What Are Alternative Energy Solutions?

Systems using renewables, storage, and power electronics to provide efficient, reliable, grid-integrated electrical power.

✅ Power electronics: MPPT, inverters, converters for grid-tied PV and wind.

✅ Energy storage and EMS for frequency regulation and peak shaving.

✅ Smart grids, microgrids, protection, SCADA, and IEC 61850.

Why are alternative energy solutions so important? Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, continue to contribute to the ever-growing pollution in the environment by producing carbon dioxide and other harmful chemicals, which causes further damage to Earth's atmosphere by increasing the hole in the layer of the upper atmosphere (the ozone layer). The ozone layer, which protects Earth's inhabitants from the sun's radiation, prevents the snow in the Northern and Southern atmospheres from melting. These increased atmospheric temperatures, known as global warming, is a concern for governments all over the globe because flooding could occur on such catastrophic levels (much of North America, Europe and other parts of the world would be under water and countless lives would be lost). So, many of the world's nations are rallying together to reduce their fuel consumption and dependency on fossil fuels and find other alternative energy solutions. For readers new to the topic, see this overview of what constitutes alternative energy to understand how these technologies differ from conventional fuels.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, fossil fuels currently give the U.S. more than 85 per cent of all consumed electric power and almost all of consumed transportation fuels. DOE points out that the likelihood that America's reliance on fossil fuels will continue to increase over the next two decades as the economy expands--even with aggressive development and deployment of new alternative energy technologies. In parallel, DOE and industry roadmaps highlight the role of renewable alternative energy in moderating long-term demand growth.

What does this mean? Energy is essential to economic growth. Without adequate energy supplies, a world population of six to ten billion people would not be possible. Every human life and every sector of the economy requires energy and even the most basic needs of humanity (such as food and water) could not be supplied without adequate energy supplies. Diverse renewable energy sources can help meet these fundamental needs while reducing environmental and supply risks.

For any alternative energy solution to be successful in today's marketplace, it must provide more energy than other large energy sources (fossil fuels and natural gas), which presents a formidable challenge. Why? Most of today's energy sources are already considered difficult to satisfy current demand. The difficulty doesn't exist in the resource being too small, but the challenge is to maintain a high rate of growth necessary to keep up with demand. How is this to be done? Here are some alternative energy solutions. For a broader primer on technology categories, explore the principal forms of alternative energy described by industry educators.

Alternative Energy Solutions - Hydro Power

Hydroelectricity is a well-established and cost-effective form of alternative energy. This alternative energy solution has helped support energy-intensive industries like rely on cheaper forms of electricity. Hydro Electricity also plays an important role in energy storage, but, hydro energy's potential won't be enough to power the global economy on hydroelectricity. However, hydro-electric energy projects will continue to be deployed wherever the resource is readily available. Readers can compare hydro with other options by reviewing key alternative energy sources and their typical applications.

Alternative Energy Solutions - Solar Power

Solar energy hasn't gone large scale mainly due to cost and distribution issues, but that hasn't stopped solar energy companies from making investments. In fact, recent expansions have resulted in 265 megawatts of energy and more than two billion dollars of investment in the U.S. economy. When cost isn't such a major factor, it's expected that solar energy will play a larger role in the world economy. Solar energy, particularly in thee electricity sector, will have to become much more cost efficient before it can compete with other energy resources. While there is no obvious floor to the price of solar energy, progress in the last few decades has been slow. Another factor affecting cost is electricity storage, which, at present, is not currently available to meet immediate high energy demands. But, if cost becomes roughly three times cheaper than other electricity sources that satisfy immediate demand, then solar energy stands a chance of becoming a major energy source. It's expected that prices will decrease dramatically with emerging solar technologies, such as photovoltaic cells. It remains be seen, however, if these reductions can give solar energy the competitive edge in the world economy. For technology pathways and case studies, see this guide to alternative energy solar power and its emerging cost trends.

Alternative Energy Solutions - Wind Power

Wind energy is helping many nations meet their ever-growing energy demands. Today, wind energy provides the U.S. with enough electricity to power over 9.7 million American homes. And, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), there is a potential of 37 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity that could be used to power the U.S. annually——nearly 10 times the country’s existing power needs. At the moment, there are over 400 American manufacturing plants that build wind components including blades, towers and other major turbine components. Plus, new wind energy manufacturers are currently coming online, being announced or expanding (over 100 since 2007). However, wind energy requires further development in technologies before they are ready to operate at full scale. Grid planners often analyze how alternative energy power integrates with reliability standards and transmission upgrades.

Alternative Energy Solutions - Geothermal Power

The geothermal potential is very large. At the moment, the technology for this alternative energy solution is limited to special locations (such as Iceland, Kenya and locations in California) with very steep thermal gradients, resulting in very large temperature differentials between the surface and the geological reservoir. For the time being, many of the possible energy resources are simply not large enough to operate at the scale necessary to satisfy a substantial fraction of the world’s energy demand. In some cases, like wind energy, the locations are large enough, but raise serious questions about the environmental impact of large-scale deployment.

What is the best alternative solution?

Governments continue to strive to find one energy solution that can power the world, but it might be that a collaboration of alternative energy solutions is best to saving the world.

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Alternative energy tax credits reduce CAPEX for solar PV, wind turbines, battery storage, EV charging, and high-efficiency HVAC, with IRS incentives, rebates, and depreciation accelerating power electronics upgrades and grid integration for clean energy projects.

What Are Alternative Energy Tax Credits?

Fiscal incentives lowering costs for EE-led renewable systems, backing PV, wind, storage, and grid modernization.

✅ Eligible assets: PV inverters, wind generators, BESS, EVSE

✅ Requires NEC, IEEE 1547, UL 1741, and interconnection compliance

✅ Boosts CAPEX ROI via ITC, PTC, MACRS, transferable credits

How can I earn money using alternative energy? New financial incentives are available to homeowners and businesses for a number of alternative energy and energy efficiency measures. For a broader overview of current programs, see the resource at alternative energy incentives which summarizes eligibility and timelines.

• Alternative energy tax credits for residential and commercial photovoltaics, solar water heating systems, geothermal heat pumps, and other renewable technologies.
• Alternative energy tax credits for homeowners for energy efficiency improvements to existing homes.
• Alternative energy tax credits for builders of highly efficient new homes.
• Alternative energy tax deductions for owners or designers of highly efficient commercial buildings.
• Alternative energy tax rebates for energy efficient appliances

   

  Alternative Energy Tax Credits Using Solar and Renewables For Residential Homes

  If you're new to the space, this concise primer on what is alternative energy helps frame the technologies covered in this section.

  For new and existing homes, alternative energy tax credit limitations have been removed by some country's governments for many alternative energy systems including geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar photovoltaics, small wind energy, fuel cells and microturbine systems. Qualified products can receive an alternative energy tax credit equal to 30 per cent of their cost. Many homeowners start by reviewing the latest renewable energy tax credits before requesting contractor quotes.

  Some examples of alternative energy tax credit qualified products are:

  When weighing options like PV and solar thermal, this overview of alternative energy solar power clarifies system types, site suitability, and typical payback periods.

• Solar water heating systems property certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) which provide at least 50 per cent of the system demand.
• Photovoltaic systems which provide electric power for the residence.
• Wind energy systems which provide 100 kW or less electric power to the residence.
• Geothermal heat pumps which satisfy the ENERGY STAR criteria.
• Fuel cells with a capacity = 0.5 kW and efficiency = 30 per cent.
• Microturbines with a maximum capacity of 2,000 kW and a minimum efficiency of 26%.

  Alternative Energy Tax Credits For Existing Homes - Energy Efficiency

  To align upgrades strategically, compare technologies using this guide to renewable alternative energy so your efficiency measures complement future renewable additions.

  Qualified products receive an alternative energy tax credit of 30% of their cost, up to the $1,500 limit.

  Some examples of alternative energy tax credit qualified products are:

• Insulation material which meets 2009 IEEC and amendments.
• Exterior windows with SHGC = 0.30 and U-factor = 0.30.
• Exterior doors with SHGC = 0.30 and U-factor = 0.30.
• Furnaces using natural gas or propane with an AFUE = 95.
• Geothermal heat pumps (Not subject to $1,500 cap):
• Hot water boiler with natural gas, propane, or oil furnace and AFUE = 90 per cent.
• Advanced main air circulating fan used in natural gas, propane, or oil furnace that uses no more than 2% of the total annual energy use of the furnace.
• Water heater using natural gas, propane, or oil with EF = 0.82 or a thermal efficiency = 90%.
• Water heater using an electric heat pump with EF of 2.0 or greater.
• Biomass stoves with efficiency rating of at least 75 per cent and used to heat a home or heat water.

   

  Alternative Energy Tax Credits For Commercial Buildings

  Owners or tenants (or designers, in the case of publicly-owned buildings) of new or existing commercial buildings may qualify for a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot. The buildings must be constructed or reconstructed to save at least 50 per cent of the heating, cooling, water heating, and interior lighting energy cost of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001.

  Each of the three energy-using systems of the building — the envelope, interior lighting system, and heating and cooling system — is eligible for one third of the incentive ($0.60/ft) if it meets its share of the whole-building savings goal. Case studies of compliant facilities can be found among curated alternative energy projects that detail design choices and savings outcomes.

  Software meeting federal tax laws for accuracy and consistency determines projected energy savings. Third party inspectors review the plans and verify building parameters to determine compliance.

  Alternative Energy Tax Credits For Businesses

  The business investment tax credit varies from 10% to 30% depending upon they type of system installed. This alternative energy tax credit is possibly available to businesses that purchase solar water heaters, solar photovoltaics, small wind energy, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells and microturbine systems.

  Combined Incentives For Alternative Energy Tax Credits

  In many cases, multiple tax incentives may be claimed. In the case of a new home for example, the builder may claim credit for the high efficiency home and the homeowner may claim tax credits for solar hot water, photovoltaic, and fuel cell systems. Other financial incentives, such as local utility rebates, further reduce the cost of building or owning a solar and energy efficient home. To supplement credits and rebates, many jurisdictions also offer targeted alternative energy grants that can further reduce upfront costs.

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Alternative energy sources encompass solar PV, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal generation, leveraging power electronics, inverters, HVDC, storage, and smart grid integration to deliver efficient, low-carbon electricity and resilient microgrids and stable operation.

What Are Alternative Energy Sources?

Technologies that convert renewables to electricity using power electronics, storage, and advanced grid control.

✅ Includes solar PV, wind turbines, hydroelectric, and geothermal

✅ Uses inverters, MPPT, converters, HVDC, and protection relays

✅ Integrates storage, microgrids, smart grid controls, and V2G

Are there other alternative energy sources besides renewables? There are other alternative energy sources that are used instead of conventional energy sources, such as oil and coal, that produce (or hardly produce) greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) that are harmful for the environment. For a broader definition of the term, see this overview at what is alternative energy to understand key concepts.

Alternative Energy Sources – Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is one of the few alternative energy sources that can generate a lot of electricity from very little fuel, which makes it a very abundant energy source. Nuclear energy is generated when atoms are either split (fission) or merged (fusion) to create energy from the reaction. It’s a clean energy because, unlike coal or oil, nuclear energy doesn’t introduce harmful gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the environment. However, nuclear energy becomes harmful during the production stage. The leftover waste is highly radioactive (unstable continuously decaying elements with high-energy particles or rays that penetrate and damage anything that it touches), which makes it hard to contain. Nuclear waste has to be stored in a secure location until alternative containing options are determined. Nuclear energy is used to generate electricity, launch space ships, and to power weapons. Comparative context across non-fossil options is outlined in forms of alternative energy for additional perspective.

For contrast with resources that naturally replenish, explore renewable energy sources to see how they differ in fuel cycles and emissions profiles.

Alternative Energy Sources – Natural Gas

Natural gas is considered a nonrenewable fossil fuel, but it’s considered clean because it doesn’t produce the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Natural gas’s main ingredient is methane, with all other core elements filtered through an extensive filtering process. Advantages of natural gas include its global abundance, low cost and ease of use (natural gas plants can come online very quickly). However, isolating methane is quite a complex process, which makes it a disadvantage. And, even though natural gas doesn’t introduce carbons into the air, it still produces greenhouse gases. Natural gas can also be used to make electricity. Energy industry experts believe that natural gas will have a bigger role in electricity production as future demand for electricity increases. Within the broader mix of alternative energy fuels, natural gas is often positioned as a transitional option.

Grid planners evaluate flexible generation, storage, and demand-side measures among various alternative energy solutions to integrate resources efficiently.

Alternative Energy Sources – Hydrogen Fuel

Hydrogen hasn’t become a money-making venture, unlike other alternative energy sources, because the energy return on hydrogen isn’t very high. In other words, more energy is needed during the manufacturing process than the amount of hydrogen that is actually produced. At this point, hydrogen has proven to be an environment-friendly fuel source for vehicles. Hydrogen fuel is used mostly in batteries, by combining oxygen and hydrogen to produce power. The only waste factor is water vapor, which is a lot friendlier than the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Ultimately, advancements in technology are required in hydrogen production in order for this form of alternative energy to become profitable. Renewable electricity from sources such as solar power can drive electrolysis to lower hydrogen's lifecycle emissions.

For a strategic view of how renewables complement low-carbon options, review renewable alternative energy to understand deployment pathways and tradeoffs.

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Alternative energy grants fund renewable energy R&D, power systems upgrades, and grid modernization, supporting solar, wind, microgrids, battery storage, high-efficiency inverters, and electrification projects for utilities, manufacturers, and engineers, focused on decarbonization and smart grid.

What Are Alternative Energy Grants?

Grants that fund renewable power systems, grid upgrades, and storage for electrical engineering projects.

✅ Funds power electronics, inverters, and grid-integration R&D

✅ Supports microgrids, DERs, and smart grid reliability projects

✅ Covers feasibility studies, prototypes, and pilot deployments

Alternative energy grants - Wind, solar, geothermal and other alternative energy soures are the new "in" to replace forms of energy that harm the environment such as fossil fuels, so both Canadian and the U.S. governments are giving alternative energy grants (free conditional money) to individuals, businesses and local governments to promote the use and development of alternative energy sources. Here are three alternative energy grants currently offered by the U.S. government. For broader context on the field, the overview at what is alternative energy explains key terms and categories clearly.

Alternative Energy Grants - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program

These alternative energy grants help eligible entities in beginning their conservation and energy efficiency strategies. For those interested in applying for these alternative energy grants, they must have reduced their fossil fuel emissions, reduced total energy usage and improved energy efficiency within the company. Furthermore, those eligible must develop and implement an energy efficiency and conservation strategy with the assistance of a third-party technical consultant. Also, eligible entities must conduct regular residential and commercial building energy audits to monitor results and financial incentive programs (loan programs, rebate programs, waive permit fees) with the goal of improving energy efficiency must be in place. Other requirements are also required to be eligible for this alternative energy grant. To identify complementary rebates and policy tools, agencies can review alternative energy incentives relevant to their jurisdiction for alignment with EECBG goals.

Alternative Energy Grants - State Energy Program

Ultimately, provinces and states are expected to lower their overall fossil fuel carbon emissions so that the use of alternative energy sources can become more prevalent. Financial support, in whole or in part, may be provided for salaries, materials, and supplies, equipment, travel, publication costs, and services required for deployment of alternative energy activities and initiatives. The states energy program goes to competing states for funding to implement activities relating to a number of programmatic areas such as building codes and standards, alternative fuels, industrial efficiency, building efficiency, and alternative energy technologies. Many states layer alternative energy tax credits on top of SEP funds to catalyze private investment.

Alternative Energy Grants - Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

The REAP program provides alternative energy grants to rural small businesses & agricultural producers for the purchase & installation of alternative energy systems in rural areas. Alternative energy grants are limited to 25 per cent of the project cost or $500,000 – whichever is less. Alternative energy grant applications of $20,000 or less are greatly favored in the competitive, selection process. Projects needing larger grants can improve their chances by simultaneously seeking a REAP guaranteed loan. For the loan seekers, the details are the same as the aforementioned alternative energy grant, but provides 60 to 85% per cent loan guarantees to commercial lenders financing such projects. Loans up to $25 million can be guaranteed. Combination grant and guaranteed loan assistance up to 75 per cent of total project cost; such “combo” proposals may improve a project’s access to grant assistance and speed approvals. Prospective applicants can benchmark typical capital and O&M figures using resources on alternative energy cost to prepare stronger pro formas.

Case studies of farm-scale solar, wind, and efficiency upgrades in the alternative energy projects library illustrate successful REAP financing structures.

Alternative Energy Grants - State Energy Special Projects

The State Energy Program aims to develop and deploy energy efficiency and alternative energy technologies and practices. The State Energy Program (SEP) makes it possible for states in the U.S. to design and carry out energy efficiency and alternative energy programs tailored to their State-specific needs, while contributing to national energy priorities. The State Energy Program enables the States to address both national energy initiatives and local energy priorities through two funding mechanisms: alterntive energy formula grants and Special Projects grants. States utilize these funds to design and implement energy projects tailored to meet community needs, economic conditions, individual energy situations, and climactic variations. SEP Special Projects funds are awarded on a competitive basis to States from each of the four end-use sectors (buildings, industrial, power technologies, and transportation) and the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) for cost-shared technology projects. Special Projects often accelerate alternative energy development by targeting pre-commercial demonstrations and regional testbeds.

For program designers seeking cross-sector approaches, curated alternative energy solutions can inform competitive proposals and stakeholder engagement plans.

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Alternative energy projects integrate solar PV, wind turbines, battery storage, and smart grid controls, using power electronics, inverters, and HVDC to optimize grid integration, reliability, and decarbonization in electrical engineering applications.

What Are Alternative Energy Projects?

Projects deploying renewables and storage with power electronics to ensure efficient, reliable grid integration.

✅ Solar PV, wind, and storage integrated via power converters

✅ Smart inverters, MPPT, and grid-forming control strategies

✅ HVDC links, microgrids, and protection coordination

Alternative energy projects are technologies that use alternative energy sources (wind energy, solar energy, among others) instead of conventional fossil fuels that damage the environment with toxic greenhouse (GHG) emissions. Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are among some of the North American governmental organizations looking for ways to use alternative energy sources. While using the alternative energy source is important, so is educating the public about ways that they can someday use future alternative energy projects. Here are some energy systems the government is working on for your home: For a concise primer on definitions and policy context, see what alternative energy means to better frame the technologies discussed below.

Alternative Energy Projects - Home Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

As one of several major categories, the forms of alternative energy place solar alongside wind, geothermal, and hydrogen options for residential planning.

This alternative energy project is a great way to preserve Earth's fossil-fuel resources and an efficient way to reduce air pollution. Another benefit of home PV systems is that it reduces the amount of power bought from local utilities thus making the residence less vulnerable to fluctuating price increases. A drawback to a home PV system are the extremely high installation costs, however, funding could be available from governments as an incentive to invest in alternative power. Unobstructed and clear access to the sun’s rays for most or all of the day is required throughout the year for well-designed PV systems. Location affects performance meaning that the roof of a house must be facing south (best option), east or west. Flat roofs are great options for solar electric systems because the PV modules are flat on the roof facing the sky or mounted on frames on an optimal angle facing south. One option for commercial application includes building structures that can create provide shade (such as window awnings) or covered parking. For homeowners evaluating PV feasibility, a detailed guide to solar power clarifies system sizing, orientation, and incentive considerations.

Alternative Energy Projects - Solar Concentrator System

Solar concentrators are alternative energy projects that track and focus the sun's energy; the sun's energy is then converted to hot water and space heat for day-to-day consumption. These alternative energy projects also have thermal storage, so it can distribute the sun's energy during the night or during a cloudy day. In addition to thermal applications, alternative energy power resources explain how concentrators integrate with broader energy management strategies.

Alternative Energy Projects - Hydrogen Electrolyzer

Hydrogen could be a valuable energy source in the future, so alternative energy projects are being funded by governments to heat residential homes. One such project, the hybrid hydrogen electrolyzer/high efficiency furnace system works by generating hydrogen from water using electricity. The generated hydrogen is then used to replace the natural gas that is conventionally used in furnaces. These hybrid energy systems can be installed in a variety of houses, including single detached houses. For system comparisons and component basics, an overview of alternative energy systems outlines how electrolyzers interface with storage and heating equipment.

Alternative Energy Projects - Geo Power

Geothermal Energy is also being used to provide heat to residential homes. One such alternative energy project, known as the Geo Power System, takes heat from the ground and sends it into the house. This tube-in-tube ground heat exchanger, made from polyethylene and aluminum is inserted vertically into a bore-hole in the ground either in the basement or crawlspace of a house. The alternative energy project is supposed to contribute energy during the winter months and absorb energy during the summer months in the ground. For site assessment and retrofit pathways, these alternative energy solutions highlight best practices for efficient geothermal installations.

Alternative Energy Projects - Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells

Fuel-cell combined heat and power (CHP) systems are alternative energy projects that can heat houses and provide hot water while electricity is sent to and from the electricity grid. The continued issues this residential alternative energy project faces include grid connection, thermal storage and proper fuel-cell size. To see how residential CHP fits within the wider clean energy mix, a primer on renewable and alternative energy offers context on adoption trends and grid impacts.

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Alternative energy power drives renewable grids using solar PV, wind turbines, and hydroelectric sources, optimized by power electronics, inverters, battery storage, and microgrids for efficient, resilient distribution and grid integration.

What Is Alternative Energy Power?

Alternative energy power delivers renewable power using electronics, storage and controls for efficient grids.

✅ Power electronics: MPPT inverters, VSCs, and converters

✅ Grid integration: protection, stability, and harmonics

✅ Storage: Li-ion, BESS sizing, EMS, frequency response

What alternative energy power technologies will make the largest impact? Alternative energy technologies have progressed so much in the past decade. However, some studies are starting to show that conventional power sources (such as fossil fuels and natural gas) will continue to have the lion's share of the world's energy mix for the next two decades. One study, conducted by the Boston Consulting Group, reports that forms of alternative energy power sources, such as wind power, will continue to provide smaller amounts of alternative energy power generation while other alternative energy power sources are ready to make a huge economic impact. Who? Let's take a look at the sources and their technologies. For readers new to the topic, this overview of what is alternative energy provides helpful context and definitions.

Alternative Energy Power - Solar Photovoltaic Technology

The BCG study predicts that solar PV (photovoltaic) will reach its cost competitiveness by 2015 to 2020 in the sunny regions of the world. However, the intermittency of PV's energy generation won't reach its full potential until technology breakthroughs are made in energy storage.

For practical insights, see how solar power in alternative energy is being deployed across different regions today.

Taking a look back into the last five years, it's clear that solar PV has significantly grown (up from 1.1 gigawatts in 2004 to 7.3 gigawatts in 2009, which is a 46 per cent annual increase). Today, solar panels are divided into two applications. Individual or small groups of panels can be used for distributed solar generation and larger groups of panels can be used to create utility-scale projects (also known as solar farms.) The underlying economics of the two applications are not that different, although solar farms can produce electricity at cheaper rates. Comparative data on renewable power generation helps benchmark PV performance against other resources.

Alternative Energy Power - Concentrated Solar Power Technology

Concentrated solar power (CSP) is another alternative energy power technology that is on its way to becoming a cost-competitive option - and soon (between 2015 and 2020). The beauty of this alternative energy power technology is that it can provide on-demand power through cost-effective thermal storage. Limitations to infrastructure and deployment barriers are significant, but surmountable.

Understanding the spectrum of renewable power sources clarifies where CSP complements wind and PV.

The generation potential of this alternative energy power solar resource over land is more than 100 times the total global demand for electricity. Solar energy without storage capacity technologies, such as thermal storage or hybrid solar-natural gas configuration, isn't reliable enough to be a sustainable energy source. However, CSP allows solar energy to play a larger part in the global electricity market and puts the alternative energy power source ahead of its alternative energy power counterparts. This perspective aligns with broader trends in renewable alternative energy adoption as grids adapt with storage and hybridization.

CSP is still small in terms of global power-generation capacity, but installed GSP capacity is expected to rise eightfold from 2009 (roughly one gigawatt) through 2015 (to more than eight gigawatts). Costs must drop for this alternative energy power technology to reach its full potential.

Cost curves are also influenced by policy and financing innovations within alternative energy solutions that scale deployment efficiently.

Alternative Energy Power - Smart-Grid Technologies

Many alternative energy power sources are capped due to their intermittent nature, but technologies like smart grid helps to accelerate their growth in the global energy marketplace.

A comprehensive view of the many forms of alternative energy underscores why flexibility is essential for balancing supply and demand.

By definition, a "smart grid" is a collection of equipment, infrastructure and information technologies designed to optimize the production, transmission and usage of electricity.

Incentives for smart-grid technologies include utility cost reduction, generation optimization and intelligent demand-response management. Smart-grid technologies improve the ability to integrate distributed generation and the ability to implement demand-response programs in intermittent energy sources such as wind energy and solar energy. Both factors are key enablers to expanding deployment in solar PV and wind technologies.

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