ABSTRACT
After years of relative inactivity, the solar thermal electric (STE) industry is experiencing
renewed activity and investment. The shift is partly due to new interest in large-scale centralized
electricity generation, for which STE is well suited and offers the lowest cost for solar-specific
renewable portfolio standards. With policymaking and public interest driven by concerns such as
global climate change, atmospheric emissions, and traditional fossil fuel price and supply
volatility, STE is increasingly viewed as a viable generation option in many parts of the world.
Among the most mature STE technologies are solar trough—which has been generating up to
354 MW in southern California for nearly two decades—parabolic dish-engine, and central
receiver. Ambitious projects using each have been proposed or built in California, Nevada,
Arizona, Australia, Spain, and elsewhere. Less mature STE technologies, including compact
linear Fresnel reflector (CLFR) and solar chimney systems, have been successfully demonstrated
at small scales. At the same time, researchers and manufacturers are developing and
demonstrating advanced energy storage technologies that will increase the dispatchability and
value of solar power. Researchers led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are
constantly improving computer models that help project developers optimize their system design
and location.
If even moderately successful, the more than 1 GW of STE prototype plants now in various
stages of planning and early construction will deliver positive technological and economic
feedback to further accelerate STE development. Extrapolation of present trends indicates
potential for greatly increased reliance on STE generation technologies incorporating thermal
storage to achieve dependable low-cost electricity on demand from a domestic (free) fuel.