Systems aspects of large-scale solar energy conversion

Abstract

With a view to the potential role of solar energy as a global energy option, the presently known solar energy technologies are employed to contribute to the world energy supply. Such a global solar energy supply system would evolve in stages of development, proceeding from local use of solar energy to regional and global systems. The initial stage would include local low-temperature applications for heating purposes, and the embedding of small amounts of solar electric generation capacity in the existing electric grids. Regional interconnections of solar electric power generation would be followed by increasing production of solar fuels in locations with favorable insolation, and by long-distance transport of these fuels. It turns out that much more needs to be known about the behavior of very large integrated solar energy conversion systems. Market penetration calculations indicate that it takes roughly five decades for a major source of energy to be developed and used on a truly significant scale. It therefore would be necessary to initiate large-scale deployment of solar energy perhaps 50 years or more before fossil resources are finally depleted.