Markets

Major markets for solar products are consumer, space, military and commercial. In these markets, solar power applications include wireless power for remote homes, satellites, water pumping, lighting, and rural electrification, as well as complete power systems for electric utility customers choosing to generate their own environmentally benign green power.

Concentrator systems

These systems maximize the output of solar cells using inexpensive optics to concentrate sunlight onto solar cells. These systems typically include trackers that change with the position of the sun to maximized power generation. The required area of these systems is much smaller than conventional solar panels as a result of the use of plastic lenses. Compared to conventional solar modules, they can generate about 50% more energy per unit area on an annual basis.

Solar aircraft

Unmanned solar-powered aircraft is expected to be a low cost, flexible alternative but complementary satellite platform for telecommunications and other applications. These propeller driven solar aircraft are designed to fly at altitudes between 50,000 to 100,000 feet for 6 months at a time. They will incorporate energy storage for night-time flight.

Solar aircraft will be used to relay communications signals, take photos and track hurricanes. Since these aircraft typically fly at altitudes under 15 miles, they are able to use much cheaper transmitters than satellites and reuse scarce frequency spectrum. The planes are cheaper than satellites and easier to maintain. Since they can land and take off without having to be launched by a space shuttle, their payloads can be updated more frequently and avoid obsolescence.