Which technologies are used in concentrated solar power plants in China?

Fig. 6. Annual power generation and potential installed capacity of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants with four different technologies by province in China: (A) Parabolic trough collector (PTC), (B) linear Fresnel collector (LFC), (C) central receiver system (CRS), and (D) parabolic dish system (PDS).

Is solar PV a cost-competitive source of energy in China?

In this case, the cost advantage of solar PV could be further amplified. The decline in costs for solar power and storage systems offers opportunity for solar-plus-storage systems to serve as a cost-competitive source for the future energy system in China.

How is solar energy used for power generation in China?

Solar energy is used for power generation in two main ways: photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) (Desideri and Campana, 2014). At present, PV technology in China has become mature after decades of development.

Is there a margin for innovation in concentrated solar power plants?

As concluding remarks from this review it can be said that on the whole, it is clear that there is still margin for innovation in concentrated solar power plants, particularly solar power towers.

Is China a good place to build a solar power plant?

The results show that China is rich in solar resources and has excellent CSP development potential. Approximately 11% of China’s land is suitable for the construction of CSP stations, of which more than 99% is concentrated in five provinces in the northwest region (i.e., Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, and Ningxia).

Is CSP a viable alternative energy source in China?

The development of CSP technology in China started late, with the first demonstration projects launched in 2016. However, CSP is more competitive than other renewable energy sources due to its low cost, long service life, and stable output power. Nevertheless, incentives and subsidies must be adopted to stimulate CSP development.