SOLAR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE

Technical Characteristics and Benefits of the Advent of the Headrick Solar-Voltaic Dome™ Power Station

United States - European Commission - Japan

Published In Technical Digest - 9th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference - SEAGAIA Convention Complex Miyazaki, Japan November 11-15, 1996

ABSTRACT

Photovoltaics is a proven technology, today. The Utility PhotoVoltaics Group estimates that if the cost of a complete photovotlaic system fell to $3 per peak watt, a viable market--approximately 9,000 megawatts--would develop. PV modules cost $5 per watt in 1990, down from $500 per watt in 1972.[3] The Headrick Solar-Voltaic Dome(TM) Power Station provides significant benefits as a commercial solar configuration increasing packing density on an acre up to 4.5 times from 60 kWp on the Hesperia field to 262.5 kWp for a 208.7' dome structure. As the building-integrated photovoltaics (BI-PV) induistry evolves into a primary energy resource, packing density will become a significant issue in BI-PV design. We will review the technical drawings and specifications of this invention, and the many ways it may be integrated into urban and rural sites providing grid-connected and stand-alone energy for schools, hospitals, and stadiums. We will explore the benefits of a mid-size stand-alone dome power station intgrated into hospitals for disaster relief.

Dual Value Costing Formulas for BI-PV

One of the most important break-thoughs in PV economics is the substitution of solar walls for traditional wall materials on a building facade or roof. While this may not be as efficient as more sophisticated PV collectors, it represents the most practical application of PV modules because of their durability as a building material, and the cost savings factor in replacing an existing structural wall coupled with real electricty production.

United-Solar has developed a new Standing-Seam Roof that looks just like a regular roof. As BI-PV technology establishes its reliability, aesthetic integration will sell a BI-PV product more rapidly than any other factor.

NOTE: Since this paper was written, I have discovered these batten-seam rooftops are priced the same as regular batten-seam roofs at $50 SF installed. They have a ten year warranty, and produce 6 W per SF. That is value you can count on. If we can get them out of the science laboratory -the patent dispute courts and into the marketplace, there is a viable economic product for consumers, today.

PVTEC in Tokyo have begun expanding on the aesthetics valuation factor using beautiful PV panels to replace building walls with colorful mosaics that produce energy. BI-PV has several costing factors not just energy. While other energies have a varity of externality expenses, BI-PV have a variety of externality values.

BI-PV Externality Value Factoring

Building wall replacement factor + aesthetics factor + clean sustainable energy factor + ease of integration into existing industries actor + low maintenance factor = Externality Value Factor.

Consumer Laboratory

The last, and most important issue we need to address in our BI-PV economics study is the consumer laboratory. The most critical and self-supporting scientist is the consumer. BI-PV is a ripe technology, today. The tremendous lessons learned in installing over 2,000 PV roofs in Germany could never have been learned in a science laboratory. The BI-PV consumer laboratory will save millions of dollars from being wasted in redundant research while increasing production levels, technology expertise and use of clean energy, today. Computers, automobiles and telecommunications are examples where private industry and research within the consumer laboratory have refined products at a tremendous rate while reducing the costs to the consumer. A new model of car is a delicate balance between industry and consumer testing.

3. The Headrick Solar-Voltaic Dome(TM) Power Station

Pattern Book for Architects and Engineers.

To acclerate the introduction of this important solar configuration into the mainstream marketplace, we are in the process of compiling a design and construction manual for the Headrick Solar-Voltaic Dome(TM) Power Station. The five model designs shown in this chart below have been established by the Solar Development Cooperative:

These five dome solar array models will provide a tremendous opportunity for a variety of clients to utilize the already known and proven benefits of the Headrick Solar-Voltaic Dome(TM) Power Station. Ten designs chosen from our 1998 International BI-PV Design Competition entitled: FROM DOOMSDAY TO DOMESDAY will be included in the Headrick Solar-Voltaic Dome(TM) Power Station Pattern Book for Architects and Engineers. This book will include design drawings as well as summary construction drawings to educate the profession and their clients about the ease of construction, variety of uses and the many design benefits of the Headrick Solar-Voltaic Dome(TM) Power Station.