Solar: at the cutting edge of innovation

A set of articles proposes an overview of the dynamic context of solar energy. It first addresses the case of the photovoltaic sector which becomes more competitive, presents high efficiencies, lower costs in a context of higher industrialisation, and of innovation (new fabrication processes, new solar cells, development of two-face cells, use of micro-converters). It then addresses the case of the solar thermal sector with possibilities of application other than hot water production, notably by coupling with photovoltaic or with heat networks. The last article evokes the new applications of photovoltaic, i.e. other than ground-based or roof-based power production. Various applications are envisaged as photovoltaic sensors could be placed on various mobile surfaces: a car, a telephone, and so on