Photovoltaics current trends

The current trend for photovoltaics is not to erect large centralized solar farms in the desert, which started in the 1980s, but utilize distributed generation with individual units on rooftops. 

A future trend in the electricity supply industry, much discussed, is a move towards distributed (local) generation. This might be based on combined heat and power (CHP) schemes that would employ gas microturbines or gas engines, on solar energy (photovoltaic, solar—thermal) or on wind turbines. Most of the renewables are best utilized on a small-scale, local basis. Distributed generation is applicable in both semi-urban areas and in remote locations and may be the answer for many of those who currently are isolated from mains supplies. Sadly, often these people cannot afford such technology and their economic position is unlikely to improve until they do have access to electricity and fuels. 

Related to the problem of detector operating temperature is that of its electrical power dissipation. A photoconductive detector must always carry a primary current / and therefore dissipate l R of electrical power, whereas a photovoltaic detector can be operated without a bias. The trend toward mechanical or electrical cooling, occurring for practical reasons, makes it necessary that a detector dissipate a minimum of electrical power and thereby heat itself as little as possible. 

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