Post on 18-Jun-2020
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Table of Contents
I. Contents…………….…………………………………………….….…….Page 2
II. MESIA Board…..…...…………………………………….…………Pages 3 & 4
III. Introduction……………….………………………………….…….……..Page 5
IV. Solar PV & CSP Technologies..………………………….……Pages 6 to 8
Figure 1: Roof-mounted Solar PV system
Figure 2: Ground based Solar PV System
Figure 3: Concentrated Solar Power Plant
V. International Solar PV & CSP…………………………...…..Pages 8 to 10
Figure 4: Global Installed Solar Power Capacity - MW (2000-2015)
Figure 5: Solar PV Global Capacity and Annual Additions (2006-2016)
Figure 6: CSP Thermal Energy Storage Global Capacity and Annual Additions
(2007-2016)
Figure 7: CSP installed in major countries up to 2016 (in MW)
Figure 8: Growth of CSP production by region (TWh/year)
VI. Major Solar PV Plants……………….…………..……………….…...Page 11
VII. Solar PV Plants under Construction…………………..…….……Page 12
VIII. Operational CSP Projects…………………………………….………Page 13
IX. CSP Projects under Construction………………………………….Page 14
X. Conclusion……………………………………………………….…….…Page 15
XI. References………………………………………………………Pages 16 to 18
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INTRODUCTION
2016 proved to be a breakthrough year for solar, with a cumulative
76.6GW of solar installed in that year compared to the 51.2GW of solar
installed in 2015. The total installed capacity of solar reached
306.5GW, which represented a 33% increase from the 229.9GW of solar
installed in 2015.
China took the lead with 34.5GW of solar installations in 2016 and with
that the Asia-Pacific region became the largest solar powered region in
the world with a total of 147.2GW of installed solar capacity,
representing 48% of the global solar market share.
The global installed solar capacity is forecasted to reach 387GW by the
end of 2017, and to reach a startling 700GW by the end of 2021 [1].
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SOLAR PV & CSP TECHNOLOGIES
While Solar as a whole is a leading renewable energy source with wide scale deployments
across the world, the two dominant technologies in Solar are Photovoltaic (PV) and
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP).
Figure 2: Ground based Solar PV System [4]
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) in contrast is a complicated technology and it is a type of solar
thermal technology. CSP utilizes mirrors or lenses to focus the sun’s energy onto a single focal
point where the light energy is converted into heat; the heat energy then produces steam that
turns turbines (coupled to a an electric generator) which produces electricity. CSP is a tracker
based system and it utilizes various thermal storage media, but the most commonly used
medium is molten salt. In this technology, the sun’s light is first converted to heat energy
which is then converted to electricity, however, in some heating/ cooling applications the heat
energy may be directly used [5].
Solar PV utilizes solar cells aggregated to
make solar panels that can generate
electric current from the sun’s radiation
energy. Thus, the sun’s radiation energy
is directly converted into an electric
current in this method (which can further
be converted for AC power applications).
PV installations can be ground-mounted,
roof-top mounted or wall-mounted etc.
depending upon the type of application.
They are further classified into fixed or
tracker based systems [2].
Figure 1: Roof-mounted Solar PV system [3]
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Figure 3: Concentrated Solar Power Plant [6]
Solar PV technology has some key advantages over CSP. PV systems are scalable, they can cater
for smaller power requirements in residential areas to larger power requirements in industrial
sectors. They can range from a few kilowatts (kW) up to megawatts (MW) and can be deployed
almost anywhere. Whereas, CSP has its limitations in this regard, it cannot be deployed
everywhere and it is not feasible on a smaller scale (usually less than 20MW). The
impracticality of scaling down CSP means that it cannot be widely used to decentralize power
unlike PV. Since CSP utilizes direct solar irradiation, therefore, to maximize the efficiency of
CSP it is feasible to install it only in areas with very high solar irradiation especially the Sun
Belt region which includes the Middle East, North Africa, South Africa, India, Southwest United
States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Western China, Australia, southern Europe and Turkey [7].
PV is a cheaper technology than CSP, as it requires only solar panels and a couple of other
balance of system components, which also makes it installation simpler. On the other hand,
the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) generated is higher for CSP as it utilizes multiple critical
mechanical and chemical components [8]. The focus of many research and development
companies and organizations has led to advancements in solar cells and reductions in their
cost meaning lower costs of PV. The same level of research has not been observed in the case
of CSP [9].
One essential advantage that CSP has over PV is of energy storage. Light energy from the sun
is stored as thermal energy in the storage medium. The thermal energy can be stored for
extended periods of time and utilized even the sun is not shining or on cloudy days. Thermal
energy storage as an intermediate step has the advantage of providing electricity in the later
hours of the day when the sun is not shining and when the demand for electricity is higher.
Whereas, PV has no storage medium involved, the sun’s radiation is directly converted to
electricity, which means that there is no electric power available after daytime or when it’s
cloudy. However, power can be stored for off-daytime hours for PV if the system is coupled
with batteries, but that greatly drives up the cost of PV systems. Another important advantage
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that CSP holds is it’s relatively easier integration with fossil fuel based power plants, since
these plants already used conventional steam turbines to produce electricity [10].
Regardless of system type, both PV and CSP technologies have their own advantages and there
may be applications in which one technology is preferred over the other.
INTERNATIONAL SOLAR PV & CSP
While the total installed capacity of Solar PV reached over 303GW by the end of 2016 from
228GW in 2015 representing an increase of around 33%, the total installed capacity of
Concentrating Solar Thermal Power capacity increased to 4.8GW from 4.7GW during the year
2016 which was an increase of approximately only 2%. This was the lowest annual growth rate
in the cumulative global capacity of CSP for the past decade [11].
The figure below depicts the global installed capacity of both Solar PV and CSP for each year
ranging from 2000 to 2015:
Figure 4: Global Installed Solar Power Capacity - MW (2000-2015) [12]
It can be observed from the above figure that the growth of CSP has been relatively sluggish
as compared to the growth of Solar PV, which has seen a steady rise in its installed capacity
over the years.
Specifically for Solar PV the figure below shows the additions in Solar PV capacity for each year
along with the total global capacity of Solar PV for each year:
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Figure 5: Solar PV Global Capacity and Annual Additions (2006-2016) [13]
Similarly, the figure below shows the additions in CSP capacity for each year along with the
total global capacity of CSP for each year:
Figure 6: CSP Thermal Energy Storage Global Capacity and Annual Additions (2007-2016) [14]
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Even with the limited capacity of CSP installed over the world, Spain was the leading country
for CSP deployments till the year 2016 with 2,362MW of CSP installed, followed by United
States and then India. The figure below shows the CSP installations for the top 10 countries:
Figure 7: CSP installed in major countries up to 2016 (in MW) [15]
The growth of CSP for each region that has been forecasted up till the year 2050 has been
shown in the figure below, in which North America is expected to be region with the greatest
capacity of CSP:
Figure 8: Growth of CSP production by region (TWh/year) [16]
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Major Solar PV Plants
Listed below are a couple of noteworthy solar PV installations around the world [17]:
Tengger Desert Solar Park Location: Zhongwei, Ningxia, China
Capacity: 1,547MW
Datong Solar Power Top Runner Base
Location: Datong, Shanxi, China
Capacity: 1,000MW
Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park
Location: Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India
Capacity: 950MW
Longyangxia Dam Solar Park
Location: Gonghe, Qinghai, China
Capacity: 850MW
Kamuthi Solar Power Project
Location: Kamuthi, Tamil Nadu, India
Capacity: 648MW
Solar Star
Location: Rosamond, California, USA
Capacity: 579MW
Topaz Solar Farm
Location: Carrisa Plains, California, USA
Capacity: 550MW
Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park
Location: Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Capacity: 400MW commissioned of total targeted 1,000MW
Muhammad bin Rashid al Maktoum Solar Park
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Capacity: 213MW operational (800MW to be added in third phase, 5,000MW
targeted by 2030)
Masdar City Solar PV Plant [18]
Location: Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Capacity: 10MW
[17]: Reference for listed projects except [18].
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Solar PV Plants under Constructions
Listed below are some solar PV installations under construction around the world:
Adani Renewable Energy Park [19] Location: Rajasthan, India
Planned Capacity: 10,000MW
Pavagada Solar Park [20]
Location: Karnataka, India
Planned Capacity: 2,700MW
Ningxia Solar Project [21]
Location: Ningxia, China
Planned Capacity: 2,000MW
Bulli Creek Solar Farm [22]
Location: Queensland, Australia
Planned Capacity: 2,000MW
Muhammad bin Rashid al Maktoum Solar Park [23]
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Planned Capacity: 1,013MW (213MW already operation, work on 800MW underway)
Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park [24]
Location: Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Capacity: 1,000MW (400MW already commissioned, work on 600MW underway)
Karapinar Energy Resource Area [25]
Location: Konya, Turkey
Capacity: 1,000MW
Rewa Ultra Mega Solar [26]
Location: Rewa, Madhya Pradesh
Capacity: 750MW
McCoy Solar Energy Project [27]
Location: Mojave Desert (Riverside County), California, USA
Capacity: 750MW (of which 250MW is already operational)
Ukujima Mega Solar Project [28]
Location: Ukujima, Sasebo City, Nagasaki, Japan
Capacity: 475MW
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Operational CSP Projects
Some of the operational CSP Projects are listed below [29]:
[29]: Reference for listed projects except [30].
Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating
System Location: California, United States
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 392MW
Solar Electric Generating Station [30]
Location: Mojave Desert, California (USA)
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 354MW
Solana Generating Station
Location: Phoenix, Arizona (USA)
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 280MW
Solaben Solar Power Station
Location: Logrosán, Spain
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 200MW
Noor I
Location: Ouarzazate, Morocco
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 160MW
Solnova
Location: Sevilla, Spain
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 150MW
KaXu Solar One
Location: Pofadder, South Africa
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 100MW
Dhursar Location: Dhursar, India
Technology: Linear Fresnel
Reflector
Capacity: 125MW
Shams 1
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 100MW
Genesis Solar Energy Project
Location: Blythe, California (USA)
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 250MW
Andasol
Location: Granada, Spain
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 150MW
Extresol
Location: Badajoz, Spain
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 150MW
Khi Solar One
Location: Upington, South Africa
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 50MW
Megha Solar Plant
Location: Anantapur, India
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 50MW
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CSP Projects under Construction
Some of the CSP Projects under construction around the world are listed below [31]:
[31]: Reference for listed projects except [32] & [33].
Noor II Location: Ouarzazate, Morocco
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 200MW
Ashalim Plot B
Location: Ashalim, Israel
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 121MW
Kathu Solar Park
Location: Kathu, South Africa
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 100MW
Huanghe Qinghai Delingha CSP
Project [32]
Location: Delingha, China
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 135MW
Yumen CSP Project
Location: Yumen, China
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 50MW
Copiapó
Location: Copiapó, Chile
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 260MW
Golden Tower CSP Project
Location: Jinta, China
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 100MW
Noor III Location: Ouarzazate, Morocco
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 150MW
Atacama-1 Location: Calama, Chile
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 110MW
Xina Solar One Location: Pofadder, South Africa
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 100MW
Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum
CSP Project [33] Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 700MW
Ilanga I Location: Upington, South Africa
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 100MW
Aurora Solar Energy Project Location: Port Augusta, Australia
Technology: Power Tower
Capacity: 150MW
Shagaya CSP Project
Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait
Technology: Parabolic Trough
Capacity: 50MW
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CONCLUSION
Even with the slow growth of CSP seen over the years, CSP is expected to remain on a strong
trajectory with as much as 900MW of CSP forecasted to come online by the end of 2017 [34].
With much more R&D focused around Solar PV and the significant reduction in the prices of
solar modules, together with the limitations and high costs of CSP have resulted in accelerated
growths of Solar PV capacity around the world in comparison with the slower capacity growth
of CSP.
Though the relatively higher efficiency of the CSP technology gives it an edge over Solar PV.
Solar-to-electric efficiency for CSP systems ranges between 15 to 25%. Compared to other CSP
technologies, parabolic dish conversion efficiencies are the highest, reaching over 30% of peak
efficiency [35]. Whereas, even the most efficient commercially available solar panels on the
market today have efficiency ratings as high as 22.5%, with the majority of panels having a
typical efficiency ranging from 14% to 16% [36].
Moreover, CSP coupled with Thermal Energy Storage can provide the solution to intermittent
power that exists with other renewable energy types, including Solar PV and Wind. Both these
technologies are greatly influenced by the unpredictability and instability of environmental
conditions, which places a question mark on the reliability of these renewable energy sources
[37].
Thus, with the benefits of CSP and future advancements in this technology, CSP will continue
to retain a niche market at the utility-scale level, especially in combined heat and power
applications as compared to the more widespread market of Solar PV [38].
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REFERENCES
[1]
Global Market Outlook - For Solar Power (2017-2021)
[2]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_system
[3] https://www.builddirect.com/blog/sunny-side-up-solar-panels-on-the-ground-or-roof/
[4]
http://www.wardell-armstrong.com/solar-pv-environmental-impact-assessment-appraisal
[5]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrated_solar_power
[6] http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/renewable-energy/concentrating-solar-power-
plants#.WeRo2nZx2Uk
[7]
https://www.irena.org/DocumentDownloads/Publications/IRENA-
ETSAP%20Tech%20Brief%20E10%20Concentrating%20Solar%20Power.pdf
[8] https://blogs.dnvgl.com/energy/the-future-of-solar-energy-concentrated-solar-power-vs-
photovoltaic-power-plants
[9]
https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/sustainable-resources/2015/11/30/csp-vs-pv-understanding-the-
current-situation-and-future-outlook/
[10]
http://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/daliapatinoecheverri/files/2015/09/ISCC.pdf
[11]
Renewables 2017 Global status Report – REN21
[12]
World Energy Resource Solar 2016
[13]
Renewables 2017 Global Status Report – REN21
[14]
Renewables 2017 Global Status Report – REN21
[15]
World Energy Resource Solar 2016
[16]
Technology Roadmap (Concentrating Solar Power) – International Energy Agency
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[17]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photovoltaic_power_stations
[18]
http://enviromena.com/profiles/masdar-10-mw-solar-power-plant/
[19]
https://www.areprl.com/
[20] http://www.livemint.com/Industry/UEJYwZQT5m3wNvGupBShZJ/How-the-worlds-largest-
solar-park-is-shaping-up-in-Karnatak.html
[21]
https://velatianetworks.com/2017/01/16/ningxia-solar-project-6-million-panels-to-supply-
the-asian-giant/
[22]
http://reneweconomy.com.au/sunedison-to-co-develop-worlds-biggest-bulli-creek-solar-
farm-in-queensland-22822/
[23]
Muhammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park Brochure – Dubai Electricity & Water Authority
[24]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaid-e-Azam_Solar_Park
[25] https://balkangreenenergynews.com/the-biggest-solar-power-plant-in-turkey-to-be-built-by-
turkish-southkorean-consortium/
[26]
http://rumsl.com/
[27]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCoy_Solar_Energy_Project
[28]
http://pvdp.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/web_new_ukujima_brochure_en_4mai.pdf
[29]
https://www.nrel.gov/csp/solarpaces/projects_by_status.cfm?status=Operational
[30] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Energy_Generating_Systems
[31] https://www.nrel.gov/csp/solarpaces/projects_by_status.cfm?status=Under%20Construction
https://www.nrel.gov/csp/solarpaces/projects_by_status.cfm?status=Under%20Development
[32] https://www.protenders.com/companies/huanghe-hydropower-development-
huanghe/projects/huanghe-qinghai-delingha-solar-thermal-power-plant
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[33]
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/general/dubai-launches-world-s-largest-concentrated-solar-
power-project-1.2091061
[34]
Renewables 2017 Global Status Report – REN21
[35]
http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2013/ph240/rajavi1/
[36]
http://news.energysage.com/what-are-the-most-efficient-solar-panels-on-the-market/
[37]
http://www.renewablegreenenergypower.com/solar-energy-facts-concentrated-solar-power-
csp-vs-photovoltaic-pv-panels/
[38] http://helioscsp.com/concentrated-solar-thermal-vs-photovoltaic-solar/