Document Type

Closed Project

Publication Date

Fall 2010

Instructor

Dundar Kocaoglu

Course Title

Engineering & Technology Management

Course Number

ETM 520/620

Subjects

Solar energy, Photovoltaic power generation -- Economic aspects, Renewable energy resources, Photovoltaic power generation -- Legal aspects, Solar cells -- Design and construction

Abstract

In 1955, the first commercial license for solar PV array production was given to Western Electric. Since then, many projects have been successfully implemented where other energy sources were not available at the time. For example, arrays excelled in space, maritime, and remote villages. However, the motivation to use arrays has been prohibitive due to the current lower costs of other products. Furthermore, the lack of concern about greenhouse gases that other alternative energy sources produce has not been an issue until current times. Given these downsides, the cost of manufacturing of arrays are coming down, the environmental and social impacts are decreasing, and the need for alternate energy sources is increasing because of the change in attitude about the harmful effects of greenhouse gases.

This paper investigates the pros and cons of solar photovoltaic(PV) by looking at the technology and innovation of the industry, the environmental concerns, and the cost. Based on this analysis we will determine if solar PV is a clean, cost effective renewable energy source for today and into the future.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Comments

This project is only available to students, staff, and faculty of Portland State University

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/22602

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