Usable electricity from the sun
The achievements described in this bulletin underscore America's world leadership in photovoltaic products and technology. However, the cost of producing electricity from the sun still remains too high for PV to compete effectively with conventional energy sources in supplying peak power to electric utilities. More technological progress has to be made, to lower the costs of PV systems and components while increasing their efficiency, reliability, and life expectancy. These are the objectives of the National Photovoltaics Program. The National Photovoltaics Program is managed by the US Department of Energy (DOE). Recognizing that a healthy and growing photovoltaic industry contributes to a more balanced energy picture for the US DOE's objective is to reduce PV costs to a level that is competitive with other energy sources. Specifically, the program's goal is to improve PV systems to the point where, by the late 1990s, they can be generating electricity at utility-competitive costs (12 /cent/ per kilowatt-hour by the early 1990s, and 6 /cent/ per kilowatt-hour by the year 2000). With advice from program participants, industry, and the research community, the Photovoltaics Division at DOE establishes long-term technical goals to guide the program to the successful completion of its objectives.
- Research Organization:
- Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10093
- OSTI ID:
- 7149730
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/CH/10093-20; ON: DE88001150
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
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