The Effects of Regional Insolation Differences upon Advanced Solar Thermal Electric Power Plant Performance and Energy Costs

This paper presents the performance and cost of four 10-MWe advanced solar thermal electric power plants situated in various regions of the continental U.S. Each region has different insolation characteristics which result in varying collector field areas, plant performance, capital costs, and energy costs. The paraboloidal dish, central receiver, cylindrical parabolic trough, and compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) comprise the advanced concepts studied. This paper contains a discussion of the regional insolation data base, a description of the solar systems’ performances and costs, and a presentation of a range for the forecast cost of conventional electricity by region and nationally over the next several decades.