DOD PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY CONVERSIONS SYSTEMS: MARKET INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS. VOLUME I

This report provides realistic estimates of the potential DOD market for photovoltaics for a range of scenarios examined. An assessment has been made of potential actions which the DOD can take to accelerate industry and market development of photovoltaics. The principal focus of the study is on delineating near term DOD markets. Analyses indicate that a large DOD and private sector market for photovoltaic energy systems should develop as unit array costs decline from the current price of $15.50 per peak watt (Wp) to $2/Wp or less. Such a decline would be expected to occur if mass production techniques replaced the current handcrafted production processes. These markets could sustain rapid industry development into the early 1980's. At this point, major new intermediate term markets must be developed to support continued industry growth. Eventually prices may decline to the point where photovoltaic energy systems are cost effective relative to commercial electric power. The advantages to DOD offered by photovoltaics are discussed. In addition to potential cost and fuel savings, photovoltaic energy systems would provide the DOD a highly reliable, silent power source allowing virtually unattended operation in most areas of the world. Near term benefits to the DOD include cost and logistics savings at remote sites, in portable equipment and offshore applications. The national benefits from accelerated commercialization of photovoltaics are considered. Over the longer term, photovoltaic energy systems will offer the nation a cost competitive source of commercial electric power or provide a user-owned dispersed source of power, thus reducing dependence on foreign energy sources. Other national benefits include the development of exports to underdeveloped countries where photovoltaic systems could be utilized for rural electrification and irrigation pumping.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Energy Administration

  12th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20461

  Department of Energy

  1000 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20585
• Publication Date: 1977-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 212 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost effectiveness; Costs; Electric power; Electric power generation; Electric power supply; Energy conversion; Energy storage systems; Forecasting; Market research; Markets; Prices; Reliability; Signaling; Solar energy; Solar power generation
• Old TRIS Terms: Standby power generation
• Subject Areas: Energy; Finance; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00312512
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 7 1980 12:00AM