Thus, with the development of the component parts of a mature photovoltaic technology, beamed power for in-space use, and a space infrastructure, the implementation of a solar power satellite consists only of integrating the pieces. Conclusions An evolutionary pathway, where each technology is developed and brought on line in a way to minimize risks, is a necessary prerequisite to development of commercial satellite solar power systems. The program suggested, large-scale photovoltaic application on Earth, beamed power in space, and construction of a space infrastructure, could lead to development of all of the elements of a satellite power system and demonstration at the appropriate large scale. This would reduce the risk associated with a project at the necessarily large scale of SPS sufficiently that it may be reasonable to consider such a project as a commercial venture. REFERENCES [1] Glaser, P.E. (1968) Power from the sun: its future, Science, 162, pp. 957-961. [2] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (1980) Satellite Power System Concept Development and Evaluation Program System Definition Assessment Report, prepared for US Department of Energy, December, DOE/ER/10035-03. [3] Piland, R.O. (1980) SPS cost methodology and sensitivities, Final Proceedings of the Solar Power Satellite Program Review, April, pp. 22-25, July, pp. 103-106. See also other papers in this volume. [4] US Office of Technology Assessment (1981) Solar Power Satellites, Report OTA-E-144 (Washington, DC). [5] Hoff, T. & Jennings, C. C. (1985) Match between PG&Es peak demand period and insolation availability, Proceedings of the 18th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, pp. 235-239 (IEEE, New York). [6] Patapoff, N.W. Jr (1985) Two years of interconnection experience with the 1 MW at Lugo, Proceedings of the 18th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, pp. 866-970 (IEEE, New York). [7] Sumner, D.D., Whitaker, C.M. & Schlueter, L.E. (1988) Carissa Plains photovoltaic power plant 1984-1987 performance, Proceedings of the 20th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, pp. 1289-1292 (IEEE, New York). [8] IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices (1990) C. E. Backus, A. M. Barnett & D. L. Feucht (Eds), Special Issue on Photovoltaic Materials, Devices, and Technologies, 37(2), February. [9] Landis, G.A., Bailey, S.G. & Flood, D.J. (1989) Advances in thin-film solar cells for lightweight space photovoltaic power, Space Power, 8, pp. 31-50 (1989); also available as NASA TM-102017 (1989). [10] Landis, G.A. (1990) Satellite eclipse power by laser illumination, International Astronautics Federation paper IAF-90-053. [11] Grey, J. & Deschamps, L. (1989) Central station electric power for spacecraft, Space Power, 8, pp. 179-198. [12] CULL, R.C. (1989) Power for the moon: is microwave power beaming an option?, Second Beamed Space Power Workshop, NASA Conference Publication CP-3037, pp. 329-342.
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