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Concentrated Solar-Thermal Technology
Jere Jacobi, C. Scott Wilson | April 2009
The solar sector includes all technologies that capture energy directly from the sun—via photovoltaic (PV) materials, which convert solar energy to electricity directly or via passive technologies such as concentrating solar power (CSP), which convert solar energy to thermal energy used to drive a turbine. Solar energy is currently used to produce electricity using either PV materials or by concentrating solar power techniques to create very high temperatures to heat working fluids such as oil, molten salt, steam, and gases. PV systems are suitable for residential and small commercial installations, while CSP systems are generally developed as utility-scale projects.
The three types of concentrated solar power technologies are parabolic trough, parabolic dish, and central receiver or solar tower. Each has specific applications and pros and cons.
The world-wide economic downturn is taking its toll on the solar industry and there is an expected consolidation of solar manufactures and developers.
In the document “Concentrated Solar-Thermal Technology,” ScottMadden gives an overview of existing and developing technologies, explores the details of the technology and research and development efforts and the costs, funding and investment issues, and provides a profile of some of the emerging issues and barriers to commercial development.
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