Summary report: an exploratory study of cost targets for solar electric power plants

A preliminary evaluation was made of the economic goals that need to be achieved in the solar-electric R and D and demonstration programs so that solar can become a viable component of our national electric energy production system. Solar electric technologies considered are: solar thermal conversion, solar photovoltaic, wind energy conversion, and ocean thermal. Target costs were developed for selected applications of solar by comparison with known means of accomplishing the same end results. The known technologies were assumed to be fossil and nuclear energy sources.