Concentrated Solar Power

Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight onto a receiver, generating high temperatures that drive a steam turbine or Stirling engine for electricity. Systems include parabolic troughs, power towers, linear Fresnel, and dish-Stirling. Thermal storage—molten salt or other media—enables dispatchable power after sunset. Growing markets exist in California, Spain, North Africa (e.g., DESERTEC), and Australia. CSP addresses the intermittency of photovoltaics by enabling thermal storage and dispatchable generation.

Renewable energy faces intermittency and storage challenges. CSP offers dispatchable solar: thermal storage decouples generation from consumption. Challenges include capital cost—higher than PV—and competition from PV-plus-battery. Research continues into higher-temperature receivers, alternative storage media, and hybrid CSP-PV systems. CSP remains niche; deployment is concentrated in high-insolation regions where thermal storage provides value.