Solar Thermal Electric Hybridization Issues

Solar thermal electric systems have an advantage over many other renewable energy technologies because the former use heat as an intermediate energy carrier. This is an advantage as it allows for a relatively simple method of hybridization by using heat from fossil-fuel. Hybridization of solar thermal electric systems is a topic that has recently generated significant interest and controversy andhas led to many diverse opinions. This paper discusses many of the issues associated with hybridization of solar; thermal electric systems such as what role hybridization should play; how it should be implemented: what are the efficiency, environmental, and cost implications: what solar fraction is appropriate; how hybrid systems compete with solar-only systems; and how hybridization can impactcommercialization efforts for solar thermal electric systems.