By using energy storage, the plant can produce electricity during cloudy periods and at night Solar Heating and Cooling Flat-plate solar collectors are used for heating water or indoor air, for air conditioning, for producing salt, and for desalinating water. Flat-plate collectors are large, flat boxes with one or more glass covers. Inside the boxes, dark-colored metal plates absorb heat. Air or a liquid, such as water, flows through tubes and is warmed by heat stored in the plates. The collector is part of either an active or passive system.
Active systems use pumps or fans to move heated air or water through the home or building.
Power generating systems also are modular, meaning they can be constructed to meet any size requirement and are easily enlarged to meet changing energy needs. Potential Developing countries, where half the population is currently without electricity and sunlight is usually abundant, represent the biggest and fastest growing market for power producing technologies. The largest potential domestic market for power production technologies is the utility sector.