BACKGROUND This paper examines the cost and benefits, both financial and environmental, of two leading forms of solar power generation, grid-tied photovoltaic cells and Dish Stirling Systems, using conventional carbon-based fuel as a benchmark. METHODS First we define how these solar technologies will be implemented and why. Then we delineate a model city and its characteristics, which will b...

The objective of this contribution is to present a new numerical approach for a complete design, optimum sizing, cost estimation (capital & $/kWh) and also evaluating the performance of solar photovoltaic/battery/diesel hybrid power systems. The world-wide demand for solar photovoltaic energy systems has grown steadily over the past 15 years. The need for reliable and low cost electric power in...

In the context of the global potential energy crisis and aggravating regional environmental pollution, Chinese photovoltaic power generation still faces the key problems of sustainable development, even given its favorable background in large-scale exploitation. Scientific evaluation of the comprehensive efficiency of photovoltaic power generation is of great significance because it will improv...

Although standards can inhibit innovation under certain circumstances, recent research shows that, more generally, they play critical roles in supporting technological innovation and industrial emergence. Hence, there has been an increasing interest in advancing knowledge of the roles of standards in emerging technologies; however, there is as yet limited understanding of how and when different...