Solar thermal electric power systems: Manufacturing cost estimation and systems optimization

Since the spring of 1973, the faculty of the School of Engineering at Colorado State University has hasn engaged in studies to estimate minimum cost systems for generating electric power by solar thermal means. These studies have been financed by the National Science Foundation and the Energy Research and Development Administration. The effort has consisted primarily of estimating the costs of large-volume manufacture of components of candidate systems and developing procedures whereby these complex, inter-related components are synthesized into minimum cost systems.

This paper describes the approaches used in estimating the manufacturing costs of the system components, describes the procedure developed to find systems optima, illustrates key results and presents the minimum cost designs, makes cost comparisons with present and future methods of electric power generation, and points out what can be done to help make solar electric power generation a more viable alternative.