Comparison of the economics of nuclear and solar power

This paper compares the estimated capital costs per net power capacity for nuclear and for ocean thermal energy conversion plants ordered today for delivery in the mid 1980's. The estimate for nuclear plants takes into consideration the 24% annual increase in estimated costs since 1967, the historical factor of 2 of the actual cost over the estimated cost, and finally the low 56% average capacity factor for large nuclear plants, versus the planned-for capacity factor of 80%. The estimate for OTEC plants starts from estimates made by industry using only state-of-the-art components, and introducing anticipated improvements in the performance of heat exchangers. The estimates obtained in this manner give approximately $3,000 for nuclear, approximately $1,000/kW for OTEC generating capacity with 80% capacity factor