Photovoltaics: a question of efficiency

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · EPRI J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5533439

Whitaker, R; Taylor, R

Solar photovoltaic cells make economic sense today in areas remote from central station networks where the need is critical and the power requirements are relatively small. But where there is access to conventional power generation, photovoltaic arrays are not yet competitive because of low efficiency and high cost, including the cost of support structures and power conditioning apparatus. The key research and development need is to double typically available energy conversion efficiencies for photovoltaic materials. Should efficiency be improved, solar cells will become economic first for those users, electric utilities among them, who can spread the costs of large systems over a long service life. 11 references, 2 diagrams.

• OSTI ID: 5533439
• Journal Information: EPRI J.; (United States), Journal Name: EPRI J.; (United States) Vol. 6:10; ISSN EPRJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
140600 -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EPRI
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS