Changes

'''Solar power''' typically refers to the production of electricity from light given off by the sun. The most common instance of this is the use of photovoltaic cells in solar panels, which have been employed on the small scale (e.g. solar powered calculators) and large scale (e.g. solar power plants, orbiting artificial satellites).  

'''Solar power''' typically refers to the production of electricity from light given off by the sun. The most common instance of this is the use of photovoltaic cells in solar panels, which have been employed on the small-scale (e.g. solar-powered calculators) and large-scale (e.g. solar power plants, orbiting artificial satellites).  

Solar power is a renewable energy source, in contrast with [[fossil fuels]]. Solar power production via photovoltaic cells typically produces a less efficient conversion of energy into electricity compared to power production from the burning of fossil fuels, but with the abundance of solar rations available to Earth, this limited efficiency is normally inconsequential.  

Solar power is a renewable energy source, in contrast with [[fossil fuels]]. Solar power production via photovoltaic cells typically produces a less efficient conversion of energy into electricity compared to power production from the burning of fossil fuels, but with the abundance of solar rations available to Earth, this limited efficiency is normally inconsequential.  

==Distributed generation==

==Distributed generation==

Conventional sources of power generation are concentrated in power plants that range from 100MW to 1000MW.  Distributed Generation is the grid-tied production of electricity from smaller generators typically less than 100 kW.  Solar Power is an ideal source of energy for distributed generation.  Most residential rooftops are capable of supporting at least 3 kW of solar panels while many commercial warehouses can support several MW of solar PV.  In sunny regions of the US this is adequate to provide >50% of the electricity requirements for the average US household.  One major advantage to distributed generation is that it is consumed very close to where it is produced, this decreases the stress on America's electric grid which is already operating near capacity.  Germany is an example of how effective distributed generation can be adding 7 GW of solar power in 2010 alone, this is more electricity than is produced by a nuclear power plant.  Solar power often provides >10% of electricity in Germany during the day and doubled in capacity from 2009 to 2010.

Conventional sources of power generation are concentrated in power plants that range from 100MW to 1000MW.  Distributed Generation is the grid-tied production of electricity from smaller generators typically less than 100 kW.  Solar Power is an ideal source of energy for distributed generation.  Most residential rooftops are capable of supporting at least 3 kW of solar panels while many commercial warehouses can support several MW of solar PV.  In sunny regions of the United States, this is adequate to provide >50% of the electricity requirements for the average US household.  One major advantage to distributed generation is that it is consumed very close to where it is produced, this decreases the stress on America's electric grid which is already operating near capacity.  Germany is an example of how effective distributed generation can be adding 7 GW of solar power in 2010 alone, this is more electricity than is produced by a nuclear power plant.  Solar power often provides >10% of electricity in Germany during the day and doubled in capacity from 2009 to 2010.

==World wide solar PV increase==  {{Copyright Details (US Government)}}  

==World wide solar PV increase==  {{Copyright Details (US Government)}}  

In 2012 in the United States, wind and solar photovoltaics (PV) were two of the fastest growing electric generation technologies. In 2012, cumulative installed wind capacity increased by nearly 28% and cumulative installed solar photovoltaic capacity grew

In 2012 in the United States, wind and solar photovoltaics (PV) were two of the fastest-growing electric generation technologies. In 2012, cumulative installed wind capacity increased by nearly 28% and cumulative installed solar photovoltaic capacity grew

more than 83% from the previous year.

more than 83% from the previous year.

Solar electricity generating capacity grew by a factor of over 21 between 2000 and 2012 and currently accounts for 0.3% of annual U.S. electricity generation. Countries with extensive solar policies—such as Germany, Spain, and Italy— lead the world in solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment. Similarly, U.S. states with extensive solar incentives lead the United States in both cumulative and

Solar electricity generating capacity grew by a factor of over 21 between 2000 and 2012 and currently accounts for 0.3% of annual U.S. electricity generation. Countries with extensive solar policies—such as Germany, Spain, and Italy— lead the world in solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment. Similarly, U.S. states with extensive solar incentives lead the United States in both cumulative and

==Solar power stations in the United States==

==Solar power stations in the United States==

''This is an incomplete list. Please expand:''

''This is an incomplete list. Please expand:''

'''Topaz Solar Farm''' 550-megawatt solar farm located on the northwestern corner of the Carrisa Plains, produces sufficient electricity to power 160,000 average California homes.<ref>http://www.firstsolar.com/Resources/Projects/Topaz-Solar-Farm</ref>

'''Topaz Solar Farm''' 550-megawatt solar farm located on the northwestern corner of the Carrisa Plains, produces sufficient electricity to power 160,000 average California homes.<ref>http://www.firstsolar.com/Resources/Projects/Topaz-Solar-Farm</ref>

'''Copper Mountain Solar''' 458-megawatt solar farm located in Boulder City Nevada.<ref>http://www.semprarenewables.com/project/copper-mountain-solar-1/</ref>

'''Copper Mountain Solar''' 458-megawatt solar farm located in Boulder City, Nevada.<ref>http://www.semprarenewables.com/project/copper-mountain-solar-1/</ref>

'''Desert Sunlight Solar Farm'''  550-megawatt solar farm located at Desert Center California provides enough renewable energy to power more than 160,000 homes in Riverside County.<ref>http://www.energy.ca.gov/tour/desertsunlight/</ref>

'''Desert Sunlight Solar Farm'''  550-megawatt solar farm located at Desert Center, California provides enough renewable energy to power more than 160,000 homes in Riverside County.<ref>http://www.energy.ca.gov/tour/desertsunlight/</ref>

'''Mesquite Solar Complex'''  400-megawatt solar farm located at Tonopah Arizona provides power to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps bases in California.<ref>http://www.semprarenewables.com/project/mesquite-solar-1/</ref>

'''Mesquite Solar Complex'''  400-megawatt solar farm located at Tonopah Arizona provides power to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps bases in California.<ref>http://www.semprarenewables.com/project/mesquite-solar-1/</ref>

'''Desert Stateline Solar Facility'''  300MW solar farm located at San Bernadino County California.<ref>http://www.southerncompany.com/content/dam/southern-company/pdf/southernpower/DesertStateline_Solar_Facility_factsheet.pdf</ref>

'''Desert Stateline Solar Facility'''  300MW solar farm located at San Bernadino County, California.<ref>http://www.southerncompany.com/content/dam/southern-company/pdf/southernpower/DesertStateline_Solar_Facility_factsheet.pdf</ref>

'''Springbok 1 and 2'''  228 MW solar farms located in Kern County California. A third facility is nearing completion.<ref>https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/07/ati-finalizes-solar-tracker-shipments-191-mw-springbok-2-solar-farm/</ref>

'''Springbok 1 and 2'''  228 MW solar farms located in Kern County, California. A third facility is nearing completion.<ref>https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/07/ati-finalizes-solar-tracker-shipments-191-mw-springbok-2-solar-farm/</ref>

'''Agua Caliente Solar Project'''  290 MW photovoltaic power station located in Yuma County, Arizona.<ref>http://www.firstsolar.com/Resources/Projects/Agua-Caliente-Solar-Project</ref>

'''Agua Caliente Solar Project'''  290 MW photovoltaic power station located in Yuma County, Arizona.<ref>http://www.firstsolar.com/Resources/Projects/Agua-Caliente-Solar-Project</ref>