Solar thermal energy is a form of energy where the sun is used to produce heat, which can be utilized in a variety of ways. Solar thermal power systems convert wave, direct sunlight radiation into long wave of heat radiation or utilize heat radiation from the Earth’s surface. The modern solar thermal power plants can provide bulk power equivalent to the output and firm load characteristics of conventional power stations.
Solar thermal power plants can also generate electricity indirectly. Heat from sunrays is collected and used to heat up fluid. The steam produced from the heated fluid is used to run a generator that produces electricity.
The solar thermal installations have many applications, such as; space heating for homes, offices and greenhouses; domestic and industrial hot water; pool heating; desalination; crop drying etc.
The following links below provide additional information
Solar PV - California
California Solar Energy Association
The Northern California Solar Energy Association (NorCal Solar) is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to foster the development and application of solar energy through the exchange of information.
California Solar Energy Industries Association
CALSEIA is the CALifornia Solar Energy Industries Association. It’s mission is to expand the use of all solar technologies in California and establish a sustainable industry for a clean energy future.
American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
American Solar Energy Society (ASES) claim’s to be the nation's leading association of solar professionals and advocates. It’s mission is to promote energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. They claim to advance education, research, and policy.
Go Solar California
The Go Solar California! campaign is a joint effort of the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission. The goal is to encourage Californians to install 3,000 megawatts of solar energy systems on homes and businesses by the end of 2016, making renewable energy an everyday reality.
Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA)
The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) is an educational non-profit organization dedicated to helping utilities integrate solar energy into their portfolio. From facilitating peer-to-peer interaction between utilities and the solar industry to hosting one of the industry’s leading educational forums on utility solar, SEPA see itself as the “go-to” resource for unbiased utility solar information.
Solar energy
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry.
Solar Frontier Americas
Solar Frontier's mission is to create the most economical, ecological solar energy solutions on Earth--on the world's largest scale. Our proprietary CIS technology (for key ingredients copper, indium, and selenium) combines compelling economics and energy conversion efficiency today--and greater potential for tomorrow--with superior reliability, stability, sustainability, non-toxicity, design, and lower overall energy consumption in the manufacturing process to yield a faster energy payback time.
Technology Development Operation - Solar Thermal
ESTIF - European Solar Thermal Industry Federation
The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTRIF) web site provides information about help how to dealing with EU institutions, programs and policies concerning solar thermal issues. General information about ongoing and completed solar projects in the EU is available on the website. The RES directive data is obtainable on site.
Matrix Energy: Solar power, solar air heating, solar thermal and wind energy products
The data on the web site is about the different products and technologies related to the solar thermal energy. Information about news and media as well as upcoming events is reachable on web site.
NREL: TroughNet - Parabolic Trough Technology Overview
The website of National Renewable Energy Laboratory gives information about different solar thermal technologies and applications. Information about market and economic assessment, research and development is also available on website. Extensive data about solar potential and power plant data is reachable on website.
Renewables - Siemens
The website gives information about key technologies of 21st century related to the solar thermal energy with short descriptions and applications.
solar energy developments
This site has information about different products and systems related to the solar thermal energy utilization. Complete online catalog of parts and ready to assemble the solar systems is also available.
Solar Parameters - Thermal