Terrestrial Photovoltaic System Analysis.
Abstract
The purpose of this program was to evaluate the use of an actively cooled photovoltaic power system at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, which required both electrical and thermal energy. The thrust of the study was to identify a preliminary design of an actively cooled photovoltaic concentrator configuration including the necessary details of integrating it into the facility, and compare the cost of this system and that of the present energy sources. A conventional utility-connected arrangement was selected for the Tinker AFB electroplating facility mainly because of simplictiy in its implementation and availability of the inverter, which is the key component in the system. The system uses a direct energy transfer arrangement with a peak array power tracking inverter; no electrochemical storage batteries are used. The thermal energy distribution system interfaces directly with the plating tanks in the facility. The estimated initial installed cost of the combined photovoltaic/thermal system is $28 per Watt. The use of thermal energy for the plating tanks is costly ($3 per Watt) because of an extensive distribution system and use of exotic heat exchangers. One conclusion, therefore, is that an electric-only photovoltaic system is more cost effective. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA094827
Entities
People
- Matthew S. Imamura
- Robert L. Moser
- Roger Giellis
Organizations
- Martin Marietta