Large Scale Sun Energy Technologies

ABSTRACT

Strebkov D. S. “The role of solar energy in the power of the future”

Essential factors, new materials and technologies determing the direction of development and the role of solar energy in future energy generation are considered. The key factors include 20% solar energy conversion efficiency, 50 years operation time of solar power system, 1000 US $/kWp cost of installed capacity, availability of low-cost materials and ecological safety of production and operation, the possibility of 24 hours a day solar electricity generation. New physical principles of solar energy conversion, new technologies of solar grade silicon, solar cells manufacturing and solar modules encapsulation, use of stationary solar concentrators and new method of electric power transmission for solar – based global power system provide by the end of this century 60 -90% share of solar energy in future global energy production.