Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 8.5 The Bahrain World Trade Centre. (Reproduced with permission of the Bahrain World Trade
Center image©Khalid Al Muharrqi based on a design by Atkins)
three turbine bridges. Each turbine is 29 metres in diameter and has a rating of 225 kW. The
turbines were intended to supplement the energy requirements of this prestigious Bahrain
World Trade Centre.
8.3 The Future of Solar Power
As described in Chapter 2, solar technology is developing fast and has much to offer despite
the currently high costs. However, to make a signifi cant contribution to bulk electricity gen-
eration, a major technology development and cost reduction is required. Possible future
developments are discussed in more detail below.
8.3.1 PV Technology Development
The existing PV market is dominated by silicon wafer cells. Commercial modules based on
this technology are up to 20% effi cient but costly to manufacture and have a high embodied
energy content. The energy payback is in years, with the exact fi gure dependent on the local
radiation resource, and contrasts with wind energy where the energy payback period is typi-
cally measured in months (see for example, References [4] and [5]).
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