Abstract
A renewable energy is a source of energy, which can be renewed quickly enough in order to be considered inexhaustible. It is the outcome of a natural phenomenon usually provoked by the sun, the moon, and the earth… These “energy sources of the future”, whose aim is to replace the use of the well known energies – oil, gas, coal –, constitute a rising market and a real stake on many levels. They respond to geopolitical criteria (the “Grenelle de l'environnement” initiated by the French government set a goal of using 20% of renewable energies by 2020), ecological needs (the fight against global warming by limiting the production of greenhouse effects), and economic opportunities (job creator).
Among all these alternative sources of energy, solar energy is the least exploited, even though wind, water and most elements result from the sun. In addition, solar energy supplies many advantages, which we think can be classified into 3 main categories. Thermal solar energy permits significant energy saving, as well as accessibility to everyone, and finally economic benefits.
