Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Schueler, D. G..
This paper presents an overview of photovoltaic systems applications since the initiation of the U.S. National Photovoltaic Program in 1975. Experiences with these applications are summarized and some conclusions are drawn. Implications for future research, technology development and application experiments are drawn from the experiences to date.
Although solar energy has the potential of providing a significant source of clean and renewable energy for a variety of applications, it is expected to penetrate the nation's energy economy very slowly. The alternative solar energy technologies which employ direct collection and conversion of solar radiation as briefly described.
Photovoltaic concentrator technology resulting in low cost, long-life photovoltaic arrays at a price of less than $0.50 per peak watt by 1986 was developed. Concentrator concepts are identified which have the highest potential for low-cost long life by supporting concept development and evaluation, improving solar array manufacturing technology and by increasing solar array production capacity and quantity.