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Photovoltaic Technologies for Commercial Power Generation

Photovoltaic Technologies for Commercial Power Generation Photovoltaic power generation is an attractive source of energy since it involves the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity with no moving parts and no pollution. Following the demonstration of the first solar cell 35 years ago at Bell Laboratories, a steady stream of scientific and commercial pro­ gress has led to a rapid increase in applications in recent years. The first commercial application of solar cells occurred more than 20 years ago when they were used to supply power for space satellites, and even today photovoltaic arrays are used to supply electricity for most satellites and space probes. In the last decade, solar cells have found widespread use in numerous terrestrial applications such as power sources for microwave repeater stations, remote telemetry systems, cathodic protection systems for pipelines and bridges, solar-powered calculators, etc. As the cost of photovoltaic systems continues to decrease, applications such as water pumping and power for remote villages are starting to become cost-effective. Moreover, with improvements in performance and continued reductions in the manufacturing cost, photovoltaic power generation should start to pene­ trate the utility grid market in the 1990s. If low-cost energy storage systems 0362-1626/90/1022-0085$02.00 CARLSON become available, then photovoltaics could become http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annual Review of Environment and Resources Annual Reviews

Photovoltaic Technologies for Commercial Power Generation

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Publisher
Annual Reviews
Copyright
Copyright 1990 Annual Reviews. All rights reserved
Subject
Review Articles
ISSN
1543-5938
DOI
10.1146/annurev.eg.15.110190.000505
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Photovoltaic power generation is an attractive source of energy since it involves the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity with no moving parts and no pollution. Following the demonstration of the first solar cell 35 years ago at Bell Laboratories, a steady stream of scientific and commercial pro­ gress has led to a rapid increase in applications in recent years. The first commercial application of solar cells occurred more than 20 years ago when they were used to supply power for space satellites, and even today photovoltaic arrays are used to supply electricity for most satellites and space probes. In the last decade, solar cells have found widespread use in numerous terrestrial applications such as power sources for microwave repeater stations, remote telemetry systems, cathodic protection systems for pipelines and bridges, solar-powered calculators, etc. As the cost of photovoltaic systems continues to decrease, applications such as water pumping and power for remote villages are starting to become cost-effective. Moreover, with improvements in performance and continued reductions in the manufacturing cost, photovoltaic power generation should start to pene­ trate the utility grid market in the 1990s. If low-cost energy storage systems 0362-1626/90/1022-0085$02.00 CARLSON become available, then photovoltaics could become

Journal

Annual Review of Environment and Resources – Annual Reviews

Published: Nov 1, 1990

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