Case for solar energy investments. World Bank Technical Paper No. 279

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:544479

Anderson, D; Ahmed, K

The report outlines a two-part program to help commercialize solar energy use in developing countries. Solar energy technology is becoming an attractive alternative energy source because of the likely economic benefits. This study reviews the costs and performance of four solar energy technologies: photovoltaics, solar-thermal, wind, and biomass. After summarizing the technical and economic prospects for each technology, the paper outlines a two-part program to help commercialize solar energy in developing countries. The first part examines the alternative avenues for financing solar projects and suggests way to accelerate the commercialization of these projects. It emphasizes the need for education and training, dissemination of information throughout the industry on technical progress and costs, and surveys of the solar resource. The second part recommends the expansion of public research and development at national and international levels in support of private initiative. The study asserts that increased research would foster cooperation and technology transfer between industrial and developing countries.

• Research Organization: World Bank Group, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 544479
• Report Number(s): WB--0421/XAB; ISBN 0-8213-3196-5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT