The place of solar power: an economic analysis of concentrated and distributed solar power.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This paper examines the cost and benefits, both financial and environmental, of two leading forms of solar power generation, grid-tied photovoltaic cells and Dish Stirling Systems, using conventional carbon-based fuel as a benchmark.

Methods

First we define how these solar technologies will be implemented and why. Then we delineate a model city and its characteristics, which will be used to test the two methods of solar-powered electric distribution. Then we set the constraining assumptions for each technology, which serve as parameters for our calculations. Finally, we calculate the present value of the total cost of conventional energy needed to power our model city and use this as a benchmark when analyzing both solar models' benefits and costs.

Results

SUBMITTER: Banoni VA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3332255 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature