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Title: Construction of a photovoltaic power system at Natural Bridges National Monument

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6727596· OSTI ID:6727596

In 1979, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, in conjunction with the US Department of Energy and of the Interior, built a 100-kW-peak photovoltaic (PV) power system at Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah. At present, this system is the largest of its kind in the world. The construction phases of the program are described, and a chronological history of the events and problems encountered when such a large and complex task is undertaken in a remote area with very limited fabrication facilities is given. This experiment will demonstrate the application of solar energy to the variety of loads found in a small and remote community. This solar energy system was designed to meet all electrical requirements when there is no utility grid, with only occasional back-up from an existing diesel generator.

Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Lexington, MA (United States). Lincoln Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76ET20279
OSTI ID:
6727596
Report Number(s):
DOE/ET/20279-94
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English