Conceptual design of a photovoltaic solar central receiver power system
The technical and economic feasibility of combining photovoltaics with central receiver technology is evaluated in light of recent developments in high-efficiency, high-concentration ratio, point-contact, solar cells. Using a specially modified version of the University of Houston computer code for central receivers, a variety of power plant designs was investigated. Electrical and thermal outputs of plants sized between 2.5 MWe and 30 MWe were computed and cost estimates made. Under certain stated conditions, the optimum size for these plants was found to be in the range of 25 to 30 MWe. Capital costs on the order of $1.60 per peak watt were estimated with plant capacity factors slightly greater than 20%. The fraction of the capital cost associated with photovoltaics was found to be on the order of only one-tenth, so total costs are relatively insensitive to the price of the solar cells themselves. The economic feasibility of these photovoltaic central receivers was evaluated with traditional levelized cost measures as well as from the point-of-view of private ownership with power sales to the utility grid. Since many utilities are summer peaking, and pay more for power during summer afternoons, the potential advantage of a heliostat field that is oriented about a southeast-to-northwest axis rather than the traditional north-south axis was evaluated. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine how rapidly the off-axis design advantage increases as utilities increase the differential price paid for peaking power.
- OSTI ID:
- 5685798
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS
CAPITALIZED COST
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
HYBRID SYSTEMS
COST
ECONOMICS
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR RECEIVERS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems
140702 - Solar Thermal Power Systems- Central Receiver