It does not produce pollutants that lead to acid rain or lead to production of greenhouse gases that could contribute to global warming. Solar energy provides a visually unlimited fuel supply, and solar energy systems can be configured on both large and small scales. Thus, small decentralized collection installations are possible, with potential decreased transmission or distribution losses and costs. However, sunlight is a diffuse' energy source, and its collection requires large areas. Large arrays of collectors may be unsightly and result in rather high capital equipment costs.
Solar energy is an intermittent and unreliable energy source.
It can be used for only a fraction of a day and may not be available on demand. Moreover, solar radiation itself is not directly storable. This report, however, deals mainly with potential terrestrial applications. Furthermore, as part of He committee's mandate to review relevant international research and development activities In solar chemistry and technology, it undertook two efforts. This report consists of four chapters and is intended to be short and succinct as it draws heavily, for background information and details, on the workshop proceedings.