Every barrel of oil or ton of coal replaced with these renewable resources will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide put into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is considered by many as one of the major contributors to global warming. The State of Hawaii is actively supporting the development of a mix of renewable energy resources including solar power, biomass, hydropower, wind power, geothermal energy, and ocean thermal energy conversion. Solar thermal energy is heat energy obtained by exposing a collecting device to the rays of the sun. A solar thermal system makes use of the warmth absorbed by the collector to heat water or another working fluid, or to make steam.
Hot water is used in homes or commercial buildings and for industrial processes.
Steam is used for process heat or for operating a turbine generator to produce electricity or industrial power. Advantages Solar thermal energy makes use of a renewable natural resource which is readily available in most parts of the world. Solar energy used by itself creates no carbon dioxide or other toxic emissions. The heated fluid can be stored in insulated tanks allowing energy to be used during brief cloudy or overcast periods. New equipment and technological advances have reduced the cost of solar thermal power to a level that can be competitive with fossil-fuel generated electricity in some areas.