SOLAR THERMAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT: ESTIMATED MARKET SIZE AND ENERGY COST SAVINGS, ASSUMPTIONS, METHODOLOGY, AND RESULTS

by JET PROPULSION LABORATORY (CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY),

Technical Report, 1983

Barcode

CSP Unique ID 190682749

Status

Electronic Resource

Call number

**Click on MARC view for more information on this report.**

Publication

DOE ET 1060 60 Volume II; Report; February 1983.

Language

Library's review

ABSTRACT:
Estimated future energy cost savings associated with the development of cost-competitive solar thermal technologies (STT) are discussed. Analysis is restricted to STT in electric applications for 16 high-insolation/ high-energy-price states. Three fuel price scenarios and three 1990 STT
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system costs are considered, reflecting uncertainty over future fuel prices and STT cost projections.

Solar thermal technology research and development (R&D) is found to be unacceptably risky for private industry in the absence of Federal support. Energy cost savings are projected to range from $0 to 10 billion (1990 values in 1981 dollars), depending on the system cost and fuel price scenario. Normal R&D investment risks are accentuated because the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel can artificially manipulate oil prices and undercut growth of alternative energy sources. Federal participation in STT R&D to help capture the potential benefits of developing cost-competitive STT was found to be in the national interest.

Analysis is also provided regarding two Federal incentives currently in use: the Federal Business Energy Tax Credit and direct R&D funding. These mechanisms can be expected to provide the required incentives to establish a viable self-sustaining private STT industry. Discussions of STT impacts on the environment and on oil imports are also included.
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