Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems generate solar power by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a receiver. Electricity is generated when the concentrated light is converted to solar thermal energy, which drives a steam turbine connected to an electrical power generator or powers a thermochemical reaction.
CSP had a global total installed capacity of 5,500 MW in 2018. Spain accounted for almost half of the world's capacity, at 2,300 MW. The US follows with 1,740 MW. The global market was initially dominated by parabolic-trough plants, which accounted for 90% of CSP plants at one point. Since about 2010, central power tower CSP has been favored in new plants due to its higher temperature operation (up to 565 C) than trough (up to 400 C), which promises greater efficiency.
The DEWA project in Dubai, under construction in 2019, held the world record for lowest CSP price in 2017 at $73 per MWh for its 700 MW combined trough and tower project with 15 hours of thermal energy storage daily.
Dhursar (125 MW) in India uses Fresnel reflector.
Concentrating technologies exist in four optical types, namely parabolic trough, dish, concentrating linear Fresnel reflector, and solar power tower.
Future
A study done by Greenpeace International, the European Solar Thermal Electricity Association, and the International Energy Agency's SolarPACES group investigated the potential and future of concentrated solar power. The study found that concentrated solar power could account for up to 25% of the world's energy needs by 2050.
Suitable sites
The locations with highest direct radiance are dry, at high altitude, and located in the tropics. These locations have a higher potential for CSP than areas with less sun.
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