GEF

Unit 3  |  Primary Sustainability Issues 63 and sea areas, such as adding turbines to existing agricul- tural land and installing off-shore turbines in fishing grounds. However, there is some concern about the negative impact of large wind turbines on bird populations, and some wind instillations have generated resistance from local residents con- cerned about aesthetics and noise. Like wind energy, solar energy is also widely distributed. With improving technology, even regions lacking regular, strong sun- light can effectively capture energy from the sun. Solar energy can be converted into electricity with photovoltaic cells (PV) , primarily made from silicon, and into heat with solar thermal collectors . With improved solar production methods and lower costs, solar electricity has grown rapidly in recent years and is poised to become as widespread as wind energy in the near future. Like wind energy, it’s dependent upon government subsidies and incentive programs at present, but some analysts expect solar to make up a significant part of the global energy supply within fifty years. Solar energy is already an important energy source in remote sites, such as villages in developing coun- tries that are not connected to electricity grids. Solar energy is generated using photovoltaic cells. SOLAR ENERGY Energy that is derived from the sun’s rays. PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY Electricity generated from sunlight using silicon- based panels or similar components. SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS Components that collect the sun’s heat for heating water. DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Countries with little industrial or economic activity, where people live in poverty, and that are trying to improve economic and social conditions.