In the past, the majority of solar generation was installed
for remote-use application. For this application, photovoltaic ("PV") panels
have been the best-suited technology. As utilities gain more involvement with
solar generation however, solar thermal technologies, especially concentrating
solar power ("CSP") is gaining more attention. CSP technologies use reflective
materials such as mirrors to concentrate the sun’s energy and convert it to
electricity.
CSP technologies are much more cost-effective and practical
then PV for centralized plants. According to the Department of Energy, at least
7,000 MW of centralized renewable power plants will be built by the year 2020,
and possibly much more.
In December of 2001, a peer review Panel for the Department
of Energy’s CSP program concluded that "with proper funding the DOE CSP
program can play an important role in catalyzing further CSP technology
advances, which will further improve CSP economies and market penetration.
Ultimately, CSP technologies could contribute significantly to the U.S. supply
of electricity from domestic resources. In the short term, CSP could make a
difference for the U.S. by adding diversity and security to our energy supplies,
particularly in the high-grade areas of the Southwest." To view the
complete CSP peer review, go to
www.energylan.sandia.gov/sunlab/feature.htm.
The types of CSP technologies are:
For more information on CSP technologies, please visit
www.nrel.gov.
