Solar power technology

Energy Consulting Landfill Gas-to-Energy Generation Solar Power Technology Cogeneration... 

Concentrating solar power systems use mirrors to concentrate sunlight to produce temperatures high enough to drive modem, efficient heat engines and to produce electrical power. All concentrating solar power technologies rely on... 

Concentrating solar power technology Principles, developments and applications... 

Eguchi K, Fujihara T (2003) Research progress in solar powered technology for SPF airship. NAL Res Prog 2002-2003 6-9... 

The first solar-electric technology to arouse industry interest was solar-thermal energy (1,3,5,6,8). Under favorable circumstances, it can be cost-effective, as evidenced by the fact that solar-thermal gas-hybrid plants produce over 350 MW of commercial power in southern California. This power is used during peak demand to supplement that available from conventional generation. 

The level of benefits from tax credits and favorable power purchase terms that helped give these installations their start has diminished in recent years. Nevertheless, with the remaining tax credits available and given current (ca 1995) natural gas prices, solar-thermal technology can deUver power at 8—12 /kW-h and an installed cost of 2500— 3000/kW. 

Solar Power With improved technology and production methods considerable use is being made of solar power in remote locations. The output of photovoltaic arrays is used to maintain conventional storage batteries in a state of charge. The cathodic protection system is in turn energised from the batteries. It is usual to incorporate sufficient battery storage to accommodate a number of no-sun days. Whilst in theory the capacity of equipment is unlimited, a practical maximum would be ca. SOO W. 

The reliability and cost of solar electric technologies should continue to improve, although solar power only accounts for less than 1% of all power consumed. The U.S. produces about 300 megawatts of electricity with solar which is about the same amount produced by a mid-size traditional power plant. If solar energy is to provide a significant part of the world s energy needs, the cost of solar must be competitive with other energy sources such as natural gas, nuclear or coal. 

Mankins, John C., "A Fresh Look at Space Solar Power New Architectures, Concepts and Technologies," LAF-97-R.2.03, 38th International Astronautical Federation. 

---