Showing papers on "Grid parity published in 1972"
01 Dec 1972
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discussed the applications of solar energy for thermal energy for buildings; chemical and biological conversion of organic materials to liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels; and the generation of electricity.
Abstract: The applications are discussed of solar energy for thermal energy for buildings; chemical and biological conversion of organic materials to liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels; and the generation of electricity. It is concluded that if solar development programs are successful, building heating for public use is possible within 5 years, building cooling in 6 to 10 years, synthetic fuels from organic materials in 5 to 8 years, and electricity production in 10 to 15 years.
19 citations
TL;DR: The need for a new source of energy for generating electric power has been well established as mentioned in this paper, and there are indications that this energy could be tapped with present day technology, although no significant effort or funds are being spent on solar energy research.
11 citations
15 Oct 1972
TL;DR: In this article, three major options for wide-scale generation of photovoltaic energy for terrestrial use are considered: (1) rooftop array, (2) solar farm, and (3) satellite station.
Abstract: Three major options for wide-scale generation of photovoltaic energy for terrestrial use are considered: (1) rooftop array, (2) solar farm, and (3) satellite station. The rooftop array would use solar cell arrays on the roofs of residential or commercial buildings; the solar farm would consist of large ground-based arrays, probably in arid areas with high insolation; and the satellite station would consist of an orbiting solar array, many square kilometers in area. The technology advancement requirements necessary for each option are discussed, including cost reduction of solar cells and arrays, weight reduction, resistance to environmental factors, reliability, and fabrication capability, including the availability of raw materials. The majority of the technology advancement requirements are applicable to all three options, making possible a flexible basic approach regardless of the options that may eventually be chosen. No conclusions are drawn as to which option is most advantageous, since the feasibility of each option depends on the success achieved in the technology advancement requirements specified.
9 citations
01 Mar 1972
TL;DR: In this article, a cost study was made to assess the potential of the large-scale use of solar cell power for terrestrial applications, and it was shown that even for optimistic projections of technology, electric power from solar cells is approximately two to three orders of magnitude more costly than current electric power generation from either fossil or nuclear fuel powerplants.
Abstract: A cost study was made to assess the potential of the large-scale use of solar cell power for terrestrial applications. The incentive is the attraction of a zero-pollution source of power for wide-scale use. Unlike many other concepts for low-pollution power generation, even thermal pollution is avoided since only the incident solar flux is utilized. To provide a basis for comparison and a perspective for evaluation, the pertinent technology was treated in two categories: current and optimistic. Factors considered were solar cells, array assembly, power conditioning, site preparation, buildings, maintenance, and operation. The capital investment was assumed to be amortized over 30 years. The useful life of the solar cell array was assumed to be 10 years, and the cases of zero and 50-percent performance deg-radation were considered. Land costs, taxes, and profits were not included in this study because it was found too difficult to provide good generalized estimates of these items. On the basis of the factors considered, it is shown that even for optimistic projections of technology, electric power from large-sclae terrestrial use of solar cells is approximately two to three orders of magnitude more costly than current electric power generation from either fossil or nuclear fuel powerplants. For solar cell power generation to be a viable competitor on a cost basis, technological breakthroughs would be required in both solar cell and array fabrication and in site preparation.
4 citations
15 Jun 1972
TL;DR: In this paper, various factors involved in the development of solar photovoltaic power systems for terrestrial application are discussed, and the discussion covers the tradeoffs, compromises, and optimization studies which must be performed in order to develop a viable terrestrial solar array system.
Abstract: The various factors involved in the development of solar photovoltaic power systems for terrestrial application are discussed. The discussion covers the tradeoffs, compromises, and optimization studies which must be performed in order to develop a viable terrestrial solar array system. It is concluded that the technology now exists for the fabrication of terrestrial solar arrays but that the economics are prohibitive. Various approaches to cost reduction are presented, and the general requirements for materials and processes to be used are delineated.
2 citations