Update on Comparison of Geothermal with Solar and Wind Power Generation Systems

Abstract

Geothermal, solar and wind are all clean, renewable energies with huge resources and potential of electricity generation. Geothermal power generation has many advantages compared with solar and wind systems. These advantages include whether proof, base load, great stability, and high thermal efficiency. However the fact is that the total capacity installed of geothermal electricity is way behind solar and wind. The power of the total solar PVs manufactured by China in the last five years were equal to the total power installed in the entire world in the last one hundred years. In this paper, attempt has been made to find the essential reasons to cause the above problem and to look for the solutions. Cost, payback time, size of power generation, construction time, resource capacity, characteristics of resource, and other factors were compared for geothermal, solar, and wind power generation systems. Historical data from geothermal, solar, and wind industries from different countries were collected and analyzed. Suggestions have been proposed for geothermal industry to catch up solar and wind industries.