2. Excerpts from a report by the National Science Foundation, “Subpanel IX – Solar and Other Energy Sources," prepared for the Atomic Energy Commission, October 27, 1973

a. Title Page

170

SUBPANEL IX

SOLAR AND OTHER ENERGY SOURCES

Alfred J. Eggers, Jr., Subpanel Chairman

National Science Foundation

October 27, 1973

Prepared for the Chairman U. S. Atomic Energy Commission in support of her development of a comprehensive Federal energy research and development program to be recommended to the President on December 1, 1973.

2.

To develop, at the earliest feasible time, those applications of solar energy that can be made economically competitive and environmentally

acceptable as alternative energy sources.

Background and Approach:

The sun is an inexhaustible source of an enormous amount of clean energy
available nearly everywhere in the world. The technical feasibility of
using solar energy for terrestrial applications is well established.
On the other hand, solar energy is diffuse (17 watts/ft2, twenty-four
hour average in the U.S.) and variable (from zero to a maximum and back
to zero each twenty-four hours). These two factors of low energy density
and variability, combined with the ready availability of inexpensive
fossil fuels, have until now, discouraged the development of systems
suitable for widespread use. However, a recent study conducted by leading
university, industry and government experts concluded that a substantial
development program could achieve the technical and economic objectives
necessary for practical systems. In certain areas, practical systems
are already in operation, e.g., domestic hot water heaters, remotely
located buoy power systems, house heating systems, and waste conversion
plants.

1. Solar Energy as a National Resource, NSF/NASA Solar Energy Panel,

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Solar energy can be used to generate electric power, to heat and cool buildings and to produce renewable supplies of clean hydrocarbon fuels. It is proposed to conduct six, phased subprograms covering the three areas. The six subprograms are:

It is important to recognize that each of the above subprograms can make

a substantial contribution without which the full potential of solar energy will not be realized.

Three of the four electric power generation system concepts, STC, WEP, and PEP, may require some form of energy storage for most effective central power station applications in order to compensate for the variable solar insolation. This energy storage requirement can be met by a variety of systems, e.g., pumped hydroelectric concepts, advanced pneumatic and electro-chemical systems or alleviated by utility grid operating procedures. The fourth system concept, OTEP, is unique in that it does not require energy storage or collectors since the ocean provides these functions.

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While as many concepts and approaches as appear useful will be

investigated in the early research and technology phases of each supprogram, only the most promising will be pursued to the point of demonstration. Special attention will be devoted to assuring that refinement and/or the development of advanced systems will be conducted and funded by industry at a later date. Concurrently with the technology development, an incentive research and development program would be carried out. This program would provide an evaluation of the policy alternatives concerning legal, regulatory, and institutional barriers and issues, and evaluate incentives additional to those intrinsic to the technological program elements. Incentives to be considered and evaluated in this program to overcome any initially unattractive features or startup costs of large scale development include; 1) subsidies on capital investment, 2) subsidies on initial operating costs, 3) guaranteed or low interest rate loans and

4) guaranteed minimum sales on equipment development. A significant portion of the overall program is designed to provide incentives to motivate industry to develop solar energy systems.

Figure 1 lists the resources required for the period FY 75

for two program levels; the minimum viable (~$400 million), and an accelerated, orderly program (~ $1 billion) having a high probability of

early success.

Significance and Benefits:

At an average energy conversion efficiency of 5%, less than 4% of the

U.S. continental land mass could supply 100% of the Nation's