Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is installed in places with abundant sunlight all year round. Most CSP types collect solar radiation through mirrors(reflectors) with the receiver at the middle filled with fluid, such as molten salt or oil, to concentrate the heat to run turbines. These turbines then power generator, which produces electricity connecting to the power grid.

CSP has lesser electricity generation than Photovoltaic Solar Panels but is expected to expand in the coming years as CSP technology develops. 

There are different types of Concentrated Solar Power which we will discuss in detail below.

4 Major Types of Concentrated Solar Power

1. Parabolic Troughs

Parabolic troughs use large U-shaped reflectors with pipes filled with oil or molten salt, running along the center or focal point. This kind of CSP is the most common type used in the world. The fluid inside the pipe is heated as solar radiation is focused on these heat transfer fluids. This fluid is then used to boil water, which produces steam to run turbines, which operate the generators to produce electricity.

2. Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector

Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector uses the same concept as Parabolic Troughs. But instead of the curved mirror troughs, it uses the long parallel rows of flat mirrors. These reflectors concentrate the solar energy into a receiver filled with heat transfer fluids. CLFR also utilizes trackers to maximize the generated solar energy throughout the day. The heated fluids are used to produce steam that runs turbines and generations to produce electricity.

3. Solar Power Towers

Solar power tower uses a central receiver system at the top of the tower. Computer-controlled mirrors, called heliostats, have installed trackers allowing the mirrors to concentrate the sunlight as it moves. The concentrated sunlight is reflected in the receiver. This receiver has a heat transfer fluid, which generates steam to run turbines and generators to produce electricity.

4. Parabolic Dishes

As its name implies, parabolic dishes are a satellite-dish shape with a receiver installed in the middle, away from the mirror. As the sunlight reflects off the mirrors, it hits the receiver focal point, heating the fluid inside. To maximize the amount of sunlight captured, it has a tracker allowing it to follow the sun’s movement. The receiver is then connected to a high-efficiency combustion engine with thin tubes. These thin tubes contained hydrogen or helium gas that flows outside of the engine’s four-piston cylinders.

The receiver heats the gas to extremely high temperatures by capturing the concentrated sunlight, causing the gas to expand inside the cylinders. This expanding gas runs the pistons, which then turn a crankshaft to run a generator.

Parabolic dishes only require a small amount of space. They do not necessarily need to be installed on flat surfaces, making parabolic dishes advantageous over other Concentrated Solar Power types.

Selecting the type of Concentrated Solar Power to use for your solar farm will depend on the locations, land availability, resources, and your preference. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of all the CSP types can help you decide the technology to use. 

Image Credit: Source: Pixabay

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Source: https://datafloq.com/read/how-concentrated-solar-power-works/16509