The 4 main sub-technologies of CSP
Distinguished by the technology and way they focus the sun’s rays
01. Linear Fresnel
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Reduced land-use requirements
Low cost
Direct steam generation possible
Low optical efficiency
Lowest solar-to-electricity efficiency
LFRs use long rows of flat or slightly curved mirrors to reflect the
sun’s rays onto a downward-facing linear, fixed receiver.
l Thanks to the high position of the receiver, collectors can be installed
closer to each other, reducing the land-use footprint and cost.
Fixed
Receiver remains stationary and mechanically independent.
02. Solar Tower
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Reduced water requirements
High flexibility
Direct steam generation possible
More challenging scalability
Less standardization
Solar towers - aka central receiver systems - are made of a field of
heliostats (i.e. devices the track the sun from a stationary point),
surrounding a central receiver atop a built structure.
l Heliostats can vary greatly in size.
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