Solar Power Plants: Concentrating Solar Power

Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants use concentrated solar radiation as a high temperature energy source to produce electrical power and drive chemical reactions. These clean energy technologies are appropriate for Sunbelt applications where direct solar radiation is high. The first commercial solar power plants have been in operation in California since the mid-1980s, providing the 354 megawatts of the world's lowest-cost solar power. The many types of systems under development for different markets vary according to the concentration devices, energy conversion methods, storage options and other design variables. Solar chemical energy systems use concentrated solar radiation to drive chemical reactions for the production of fuels and chemicals. Additional uses include environmentally benign technologies in fields such as detoxification of chemical wastes and energy storage which are aimed at the medium to long term.

Daylighting uses direct, diffused or reflected sunlight to provide supplemental lighting for building interiors. Daylighting can fully replace electric lights, or it can be used to cut down on electrical costs by supplementing...

Concentrating Solar Overview

Concentrating Solar Plants (CSPs) generate electricity using heat. Much like a magnifying glass, reflectors focus sunlight onto a fluid-filled vessel. The heat absorbed by the fluid is used to generate steam that drives a turbine to produce electricity...

Solar Power Plants: Concentrating Solar Power

Concentrating Solar Overview

Solar Dish Systems

Solar Furnaces

Solar Trough Systems

Solar Towers