Reducing the Cost of Energy from Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plants: Preprint

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

Parabolic trough solar technology is the most proven and lowest cost large-scale solar power technology available today, primarily because of the nine large commercial-scale solar power plants that are operating in the California Mojave Desert. However, no new plants have been built during the past ten years because the cost of power from these plants is more expensive than power fromconventional fossil fuel power plants. This paper reviews the current cost of energy and the potential for reducing the cost of energy from parabolic trough solar power plant technology based on the latest technological advancements and projected improvements from industry and sponsored R&D. The paper also looks at the impact of project financing and incentives on the cost of energy.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages12
StatePublished - 2003
EventISES 2003 International Solar Energy Conference - Hawaii Island, Hawaii
Duration: 16 Mar 200318 Mar 2003

Conference

ConferenceISES 2003 International Solar Energy Conference
CityHawaii Island, Hawaii
Period16/03/0318/03/03

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-550-33208

Keywords

  • energy costs
  • parabolic trough
  • SEGS
  • solar technologies
  • thermal energy storage

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