Indeed, it is still not clear how the ongoing anti-dumping sentiment in world solar component trade will mean for Africa.

FORBES: More On Africa's Power Problems And Possible Solutions

Over the past two years, dozens of solar panel and component makers from the U.S., Germany and elsewhere have filed for bankruptcies.

FORBES: A Startup Charts A Path To Make Cheaper Solar Cells

"California Valley Solar Ranch will be an important component of our multi-technology portfolio of clean, zero-emission solar power facilities, " said Tom Doyle, president of NRG Solar.

ENGADGET: NRG and SunPower partner on 250-megawatt solar plant, plan to power 100,000 California homes

Silicon wafers, used to manufacture solar devices, is also a main component in the semiconductor industry.

FORBES: Solar Industry Rising: Can Energy's Fastest-Growing Sector Keep It Going?

For example, microchips will be a major component in renewable resource technology such as solar panels, helping make the collection of solar power and the subsequent production of usable energy as efficient as possible.

FORBES: Why Chip Makers Must Keep Innovating

The kilometre-wide separation of the component satellites of Terrestrial Planet Finder should allow it to see planets in distant solar systems a problem akin to looking for moths flying around a football-stadium arc light that is several hundred kilometres away.

ECONOMIST: Birds of a feather