Cost of electricity by sourceDifferent methods of electricity generation can incur a variety of different costs, which can be divided into three general categories: 1) wholesale costs, or all costs paid by utilities associated with acquiring and distributing electricity to consumers, 2) retail costs paid by consumers, and 3) external costs, or externalities, imposed on society. Wholesale costs include initial capital, operations & maintenance (O&M), transmission, and costs of decommissioning.
Chronologie de l'énergie solaire photovoltaïqueLe développement de l'énergie solaire photovoltaïque connaît une croissance exponentielle depuis plus de 20 ans à l’échelle mondiale. À partir des années 1990, l'énergie solaire photovoltaïque a évolué d'un simple marché de niche vers une source de production d'électricité à échelle industrielle. Durant sa phase initiale de développement, l'énergie des panneaux photovoltaïques, reconnue en tant que source d'énergie renouvelable prometteuse a bénéficié de subventions, notamment sous la forme de tarif de rachat, afin d'attirer les investissements.
Rooftop solar powerA rooftop solar power system, or rooftop PV system, is a photovoltaic (PV) system that has its electricity-generating solar panels mounted on the rooftop of a residential or commercial building or structure. The various components of such a system include photovoltaic modules, mounting systems, cables, solar inverters and other electrical accessories. Rooftop mounted systems are small compared to utility-scale solar ground-mounted photovoltaic power stations with capacities in the megawatt range, hence being a form of distributed generation.
Système hybride d'énergievignette| Premier système d'alimentation hybride. Le moteur à essence/kérosène entraîne la dynamo qui charge la batterie de stockage . Un système d'alimentation hybride, ou un système hybride d'énergie, est un dispositif combinant différentes technologies pour produire de l'énergie. En génie électrique, le terme « hybride » décrit un système combiné de stockage d'électricité et d'énergie. Le photovoltaïque, l'éolien et divers types de générateurs comme les groupes électrogènes diesel sont typiquement associés pour produire de l'électricité dans une centrale hybride.
Photovoltaic system performancePhotovoltaic system performance is a function of the climatic conditions, the equipment used and the system configuration. PV performance can be measured as the ratio of actual solar PV system output vs expected values, the measurement being essential for proper solar PV facility's operation and maintenance. The primary energy input is the global light irradiance in the plane of the solar arrays, and this in turn is a combination of the direct and the diffuse radiation.
MicrogridA microgrid is a local electrical grid with defined electrical boundaries, acting as a single and controllable entity. It is able to operate in grid-connected and in island mode. A 'Stand-alone microgrid' or 'isolated microgrid' only operates off-the-grid and cannot be connected to a wider electric power system. A grid-connected microgrid normally operates connected to and synchronous with the traditional wide area synchronous grid (macrogrid), but is able to disconnect from the interconnected grid and to function autonomously in "island mode" as technical or economic conditions dictate.
Renewable energy in ChinaChina is the world's leader in electricity production from renewable energy sources, with over triple the generation of the second-ranking country, the United States. China's renewable energy sector is growing faster than its fossil fuels and nuclear power capacity, and is expected to contribute 43 per cent of global renewable capacity growth. China's total renewable energy capacity exceeded 1,000 GW in 2021, accounting for 43.5 per cent of the country's total power generation capacity, 10.
Electric power industryThe electric power industry covers the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric power to the general public and industry. The commodity sold is actually energy, not power, e.g. consumers pay for kilowatt-hours, power multiplied by time, which is energy. The commercial distribution of electricity started in 1882 when electricity was produced for electric lighting. In the 1880s and 1890s, growing economic and safety concerns lead to the regulation of the industry.
Ressource non renouvelableUne ressource naturelle est qualifiée de non renouvelable ou épuisable lorsque sa vitesse de destruction dépasse, largement ou non, sa vitesse de création. Le sol se forme en quelques siècles à plusieurs millénaires suivant les conditions chimiques, physiques et biologiques et est actuellement détruit dans certaines régions en quelques dizaines d'années, voire quelques années. On peut aussi rapprocher l'actuelle destruction accélérée des espèces d'une ressource .
Energy developmentEnergy development is the field of activities focused on obtaining sources of energy from natural resources. These activities include the production of renewable, nuclear, and fossil fuel derived sources of energy, and for the recovery and reuse of energy that would otherwise be wasted. Energy conservation and efficiency measures reduce the demand for energy development, and can have benefits to society with improvements to environmental issues.