CSP retains a strong niche at the utility-scale and in combined heat and power applications, where no amount of PV cost-reduction is expected to overcome its inherent technology advantages.
Principal Solar (PSI) has published a whitepaper comparing the role of concentrated solar thermal (CST) and photovoltaic (PV) solar technologies, exploring how each succeeds or fails in relation to the electric power generation marketplace.
Technological Niches: Concentrated Solar Thermal vs. Photovoltaic Solar, is authored by Brett T. Gage, PSI research associate PSI, and Rick Borry, Ph.D., PSI chief technology officer.
“Solar electricity will be cost-competitive without subsidies within three years,” PSI CEO Michael Gorton says. “This paper explains the strengths and weaknesses of CST and PV technology at a time when both are approaching grid-parity power prices in many applications, making this a timely and highly relevant topic.”
The paper discusses the evolution of solar technology and demonstrates how CST and PV solar technology each serve different technological niches.
As of 2012, PV has come to dominate all smaller-scale solar electricity applications, while retaining the majority market share even in commercial and utility-scale applications.
Recently, the US Department of Energy announced $20 million in new funding that will help integrate CSP systems with fossil fuel power plants. These hybrid systems leverage the infrastructure of fossil fuel plants such as turbine and transmission systems, helping to reduce the cost of solar-generated electricity and bring CSP plants online quicker.
CSP retains a strong niche at the utility-scale and in combined heat and power applications, where no amount of PV cost-reduction is expected to overcome its inherent technology advantages.
http://www.principalsolarinstitute.org/documents
http://www.principalsolarinstitute.org/
Concentrated solar thermal and photovoltaic solar technologies have evolved independently for decades, and both are approaching "grid-parity" power prices in many applications today. This paper will explore the different situations where each technology succeeds or fails in today’s electric power generation marketplace, specifically excluding non-electric applications such as solar hot water heating.
As of 2012, PV has come to dominate all smaller-scale solar electricity applications, while retaining the majority market share even in commercial and utility-scale applications. CSP retains a strong niche at the utility-scale and in combined heat and power applications, where no amount of PV cost reduction is expected to overcome its inherent technology advantages.
