Using solar energy to arrest the increasing rate of fossil-fuel consumption: The southwestern states of the USA as case studies

D. Faiman; D. Raviv; R. Rosenstreich

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2006.01.001

Using solar energy to arrest the increasing rate of fossil-fuel consumption: The southwestern states of the USA as case studies

D. Faiman, D. Raviv, R. Rosenstreich

Department of Physics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The paper first reviews some recently introduced ideas concerning the feasibility of realizing concentrator photovoltaic systems on a very large (state-wide) scale. In particular, energy and cost assumptions are re-discussed, the concepts of double and triple sustainability are recalled and used to perform a sensitivity study of the various assumed parameter values. The model is then applied to each of the southwestern states of the USA in order to assess the economic potential for each state to freeze its fossil fuel consumption at present levels and to provide all future electricity needs entirely from solar. It is found that the scheme is economically feasible for all of the states considered, varying in attractiveness from Utah (where low electricity tariffs are problematic), to California and Nevada, where the economics are by far the most attractive among all the states.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	567-576
Number of pages	10
Journal	Energy Policy
Volume	35
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2006.01.001
State	Published - 1 Jan 2007

Keywords

Concentrator photovoltaics
Raviv model
Solar energy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Energy (all)
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.enpol.2006.01.001

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title = "Using solar energy to arrest the increasing rate of fossil-fuel consumption: The southwestern states of the USA as case studies",

abstract = "The paper first reviews some recently introduced ideas concerning the feasibility of realizing concentrator photovoltaic systems on a very large (state-wide) scale. In particular, energy and cost assumptions are re-discussed, the concepts of double and triple sustainability are recalled and used to perform a sensitivity study of the various assumed parameter values. The model is then applied to each of the southwestern states of the USA in order to assess the economic potential for each state to freeze its fossil fuel consumption at present levels and to provide all future electricity needs entirely from solar. It is found that the scheme is economically feasible for all of the states considered, varying in attractiveness from Utah (where low electricity tariffs are problematic), to California and Nevada, where the economics are by far the most attractive among all the states.",

keywords = "Concentrator photovoltaics, Raviv model, Solar energy",

author = "D. Faiman and D. Raviv and R. Rosenstreich",

note = "Funding Information: This research was partially funded by the Israel Ministry of National Infrastructures. One of the authors (DF) wishes to acknowledge enlightening conversations with his colleagues in the IEA Task 8 Photovoltaic Specialist Working Group, and with Joerg Dengler and Peter Nitz at the Fraunhofer ISE, Freiburg. We are also indebted to Dr. Ari Rabl for his critical comments on a preliminary version of this paper.",

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AU - Rosenstreich, R.

N1 - Funding Information: This research was partially funded by the Israel Ministry of National Infrastructures. One of the authors (DF) wishes to acknowledge enlightening conversations with his colleagues in the IEA Task 8 Photovoltaic Specialist Working Group, and with Joerg Dengler and Peter Nitz at the Fraunhofer ISE, Freiburg. We are also indebted to Dr. Ari Rabl for his critical comments on a preliminary version of this paper.

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N2 - The paper first reviews some recently introduced ideas concerning the feasibility of realizing concentrator photovoltaic systems on a very large (state-wide) scale. In particular, energy and cost assumptions are re-discussed, the concepts of double and triple sustainability are recalled and used to perform a sensitivity study of the various assumed parameter values. The model is then applied to each of the southwestern states of the USA in order to assess the economic potential for each state to freeze its fossil fuel consumption at present levels and to provide all future electricity needs entirely from solar. It is found that the scheme is economically feasible for all of the states considered, varying in attractiveness from Utah (where low electricity tariffs are problematic), to California and Nevada, where the economics are by far the most attractive among all the states.

AB - The paper first reviews some recently introduced ideas concerning the feasibility of realizing concentrator photovoltaic systems on a very large (state-wide) scale. In particular, energy and cost assumptions are re-discussed, the concepts of double and triple sustainability are recalled and used to perform a sensitivity study of the various assumed parameter values. The model is then applied to each of the southwestern states of the USA in order to assess the economic potential for each state to freeze its fossil fuel consumption at present levels and to provide all future electricity needs entirely from solar. It is found that the scheme is economically feasible for all of the states considered, varying in attractiveness from Utah (where low electricity tariffs are problematic), to California and Nevada, where the economics are by far the most attractive among all the states.

KW - Concentrator photovoltaics

KW - Raviv model

KW - Solar energy

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Using solar energy to arrest the increasing rate of fossil-fuel consumption: The southwestern states of the USA as case studies

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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