|||Introduction and HistorySolar energy is a promising renewable energy source that poses a fair amount of challenges in its implementation. One of the main challenges towards the future widespread implementation of solar energy is the intermittency of solar energy. Solar energy does not provide energy as regularly and consistently as non-renewable energy resources, an obstacle to more widespread adoption and implementation of solar energy. Securing power for American energy is no easy task, but solar power can help cushion the blow significantly, which is why it's worth investigating how solar power's intermittency could be a hindrance to a more widespread implementation of solar energy production, as well as how we can mitigate this intermittency. After briefly discussing the history of solar energy, we will briefly take a look at the various solar power generation technologies used. We will then analyze insolation levels around the continental United States, as well as optimal and suboptimal locations for solar energy production in the United States. We also take a look at where solar power generation is currently concentrated and the reasoning behind the installation or lack thereof of solar power generation technologies in previously unused locations. Once the geographical analysis of solar energy is finished, we can technically analyze it through the context of the national grid. One of the most important topics will cover how and why the current electricity supply infrastructure in the United States may not be adequate for intermittent energy such as solar energy, as well as possible solutions such as the Smart Grid and different types of energy storage energy. We will find that the Smart Grid and thermal energy storage form the backbone of our recommended solution. The intelligent network. November 28, 2013 .U.S. Energy Information Administration. How much of our electricity is generated by renewable energy? 9 October 2013 .—. Monthly Energy Analysis, October 2013. October 2013. November 6, 2013 .—. State-Level Energy Consumption Estimates and Estimated Per Capita Consumption, 2010. 2011. November 27, 2013 .Upton, John. The world's largest solar thermal power plant has burned down in California. September 25, 2013. November 28 2013 .

Topic > |||Introduction and HistorySolar energy is a promising renewable energy source that poses a fair amount of challenges in its implementation. One of the main challenges towards the future widespread implementation of solar energy is the intermittency of solar energy. Solar energy does not provide energy as regularly and consistently as non-renewable energy resources, an obstacle to more widespread adoption and implementation of solar energy. Securing power for American energy is no easy task, but solar power can help cushion the blow significantly, which is why it's worth investigating how solar power's intermittency could be a hindrance to a more widespread implementation of solar energy production, as well as how we can mitigate this intermittency. After briefly discussing the history of solar energy, we will briefly take a look at the various solar power generation technologies used. We will then analyze insolation levels around the continental United States, as well as optimal and suboptimal locations for solar energy production in the United States. We also take a look at where solar power generation is currently concentrated and the reasoning behind the installation or lack thereof of solar power generation technologies in previously unused locations. Once the geographical analysis of solar energy is finished, we can technically analyze it through the context of the national grid. One of the most important topics will cover how and why the current electricity supply infrastructure in the United States may not be adequate for intermittent energy such as solar energy, as well as possible solutions such as the Smart Grid and different types of energy storage energy. We will find that the Smart Grid and thermal energy storage form the backbone of our recommended solution. The intelligent network. November 28, 2013 .U.S. Energy Information Administration. How much of our electricity is generated by renewable energy? 9 October 2013 .—. Monthly Energy Analysis, October 2013. October 2013. November 6, 2013 .—. State-Level Energy Consumption Estimates and Estimated Per Capita Consumption, 2010. 2011. November 27, 2013 .Upton, John. The world's largest solar thermal power plant has burned down in California. September 25, 2013. November 28 2013 .