Solar power plants are energy producing plants. Though they produce approximately the same amount of energy as fuel burning energy plants, the main difference is that they produce energy form the sun and not by burning fossil fuels. This is the reason that many companies are not only looking to invest in such plants but are also branching out to create such plants in their own companies. This not only reduces the carbon emissions by energy generating plants but also decreases our dependence on fuels. Though the earth receives enormous amounts of sunlight, the presence of clouds and other environmental factors reduces the amount that is generated. The use of solar power instead of fuel reduces the toxins emitted into the atmosphere tremendously. The peak hour of energy consumption is during the hottest time during the day the availability of sunlight ensures that supply is not affected at this time. The most productive area for a solar power plant is the desert where there is a constant source of sunlight at all times during the year. The amount of area used to set up a solar power is quite large but when it is compared to other sources the amount of space is directly proportional to the production of energy.
Another important feature of solar power plants is that they can be combined with other sources of renewable energy to give constant energy all the time. Solar power plants also give a boost to the local economy by increasing job opportunities as well as increasing the amount of energy produced and supplied to the area. The energy produced in solar thermal power plants has no chance of increasing and is fixed at a certain price that will remain constant as the cost of sunlight is not going to ever increase. Solar energy is a lot cheaper than energy from fossil fuels as the only cost is in setting up the plant. There is no investment on a day to day basis as sunlight does not cost anything. Hence after the investment is covered, all the income of the plant will go as profits. Though the cost of solar power should be cheaper than fossil fuels due to the fact that it is a fairly recent technology it costs more. But the government is making a great deal of effort to reduce the cost of solar power to ensure that it is more economic for the common man.