Near-term prospects for solar energy: an economic analysis
- Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Current projections, retaining a high capital cost of $10 per square foot for installed solar collectors, find that residential solar water- and space-heating systems should be economically feasible by 1990. Earlier economic projections were poor because they were based on pre-1973 cheap energy supplies and are no longer valid. Regional scenarios are developed to show future energy prices, including price controls and curtailments, and consumer costs for both current and life-cycle use. Areas with decontrolled energy prices or natural gas shortages are shown to encourage widespread use of solar energy. Other areas may also shift because of high fuel costs or because of a combination of favorable sun and interest rates. Available capital is crucial to the expansion of solar energy use because, unlike other energy sources, there are no fuel costs. Low-income groups will suffer and present energy resource owners will enjoy windfall profits unless decontrol of prices is accompanied by taxes designed to distribute income equitably. Loan guarantees and low interest rates for investment in solar equipment could be an appropriate alternative strategy to price decontrol. (DCK)
- OSTI ID:
- 7292619
- Journal Information:
- Nat. Resour. J.; (United States), Vol. 17:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR HEATING
ECONOMICS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
CAPITAL
CLIMATES
COST
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ECONOMIC POLICY
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SHORTAGES
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FINANCING
FUELS
INVESTMENT
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOLAR COLLECTORS
APPLIANCES
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
GAS APPLIANCES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HEATERS
HEATING
WATER HEATERS
299001* - Energy Planning & Policy- Solar- (1989-)
140300 - Solar Energy- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
140901 - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling
140907 - Solar Thermal Utilization- Water Heating