Solar power satellites - Heat engine or solar cellsA solar power satellite is the energy-converting element of a system that can deliver some 10 GW of power to utilities on the earth's surface. We evaluated heat engines and solar cells for converting sunshine to electric power at the satellite. A potassium Rankine cycle was the best of the heat engines, and 50 microns thick single-crystal silicon cells were the best of the photovoltaic converters. Neither solar cells nor heat engines had a clear advantage when all factors were considered. The potassium-turbine power plant, however, was more difficult to assemble and required a more expensive orbital assembly base. We therefore based our cost analyses on solar-cell energy conversion, concluding that satellite-generated power could be delivered to utilities for around 4 to 5 cents a kWh.
Document ID
19780068092
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Oman, H. (Boeing Aerospace Co. Seattle, WA, United States)
Gregory, D. L. (Boeing Aerospace Co. Seattle, Wash., United States)