Low-temperature solar thermal systems: An untapped energy resource in the United States

The need to deploy low temperature solar thermal systems as an energy source for the US posing potential benefits is discussed. It is believed that research and development (R&D) must be better supported at the federal and state level unless there is sufficient market and profit for the solar manufacturers to adequately support in-house R&D. Efforts to identify more cost-effective materials and manufacturing processes should be expanded, focusing on development of polymer-based systems which are cost effective when production capacity is scaled up. It is believed that strong and sustained investments in R&D can be expected to lead a cost-competitive system which will be attractive to the US households and business.