Solar Energy

We generate brighter future

Energy for the future

The planet is the real legacy that future generations will inherit. If nothing is done to reverse the current situation, we could miss our chance to limit the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to approximately 450 parts per million of CO2 – a level that would cap rising global temperatures at 2ºC. Solar power generation, as the cleanest and most abundant renewable source, is one of the best-proven options available to reduce our impact on the climate. We believe that ours is a remarkable contribution to ensure the planet is a better place for future generations.

Energy security enhanced

It is estimated that by 2040 the global population will increase by 1.6 billion people, pushing the demand for energy up by 37%. The growing need for supply will put pressure on the existing energy infrastructure and raise concerns about securing alternative sources of energy to increase the power generation system’s reliability. To that end, we intend to seize the opportunity and push for solar and other renewables to play a critical role in ensuring the supply of electricity.

The future energy mixes

A reliable, fully diversified energy mix provides the only possible solution in the event of severe supply disruptions while reducing dependency on foreign sources of energy. In the coming 20 years, the share of the non-renewable sources of energy will decline steadily while the contribution of solar and other renewables is poised to experience an almost three-fold increase, leading the growth of all energy sources. By the mid-2030s, renewables will have a combined total output equal to burning 1.400 tons of crude oil – some 15.360 MW/h.

End energy inequality

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), more than 1.3 billion people, nearly one-fifth of the world population, lack access to electricity. In some cases, this shortage of energy has pushed many to seek inefficient and hazardous alternatives (like in-house waste reclamation for cooking). While 82% of the world’s households and businesses have access to energy, 35% of the rural population (a figure that goes up to almost 75% in Sub-Saharan Africa), are excluded from the traditional energy distribution systems. Thanks to its versatility, solar power is helping to close the gap that prevents many communities from succeeding.

Environmental Contributions and Economic Benefits

Responsible and forward-thinking governments around the world are increasingly harnessing the power of the sun and embracing solar power investments and projects. We support governments in their initiatives to promote energy independence and security, and to meet energy objectives for a greener future.

Our ground-breaking solar energy projects help build stronger economies and a cleaner environment by adding renewables to the energy mix. We also make valuable contributions to education, skills training, R&D, innovation and job creation in the communities in which we work.

Bringing Together Extensive Global Expertise and Project Delivery

Our global technical team is highly experienced in deploying efficient, high-performance utility-scale solar PV system installations throughout the world. Our technical experts and associates have developed, engineered, built, operated and maintained grid-tied and off-grid renewable energy projects, generating and delivering clean, green electricity on five continents.

Bringing Together Extensive Global Expertise and Project Delivery

Solar will become the largest energy source by 2050 and is expected to amount to 30-40% of all electricity generation on the planet.

Solar Explained

How does solar energy work?

Energy from the sun is harnessed by photovoltaic cells, otherwise known as solar cells.

What are photovoltaic cells?

Photovoltaic (PV) cells are comprised of a semiconductor material. There are three basic types of PV cells:

Monocrystalline photovoltaic cells are cut from a single crystal of silicon and have a smooth texture. They are the most efficient production scale solar cells for absorbing sunlight and creating electricity but are also the most expensive to produce. Monocrystalline cells are rigid and must be mounted to a frame.
Polycrystalline photovoltaic cells are the most common type of panels on the market. These cells are cut from a block of silicon and have a large number of smaller crystals with a speckled reflective appearance. They are slightly less efficient but more cost-effective than monocrystalline cells. Polycrystalline cells also need to be mounted to a rigid frame.
Thin film photovoltaic cells are manufactured by putting a thin film of solar reactive material onto a variety of surfaces. They are the least efficient and least expensive to produce. They can be made from various materials.

How do solar photovoltaic cells work?

The sun’s rays shine down onto panels of PV cells, otherwise known as solar panels, which begins the energy harnessing process:

Particles of sunlight known as photons hit PV panels and are absorbed by the silicon found within the panels.
Photons knock electrons loose from their atoms causing an electrical potential difference.
Current flows through the panels to cancel the potential charge difference, which in turn is captured as direct current (DC) The semi-conductive properties of the silicon allow the current to flow in one direction only.
The electricity is harnessed as DC electricity and converted by an inverter into alternating current (AC) electricity and fed into the power grid for local consumption.