Are solar central receiver systems ready for widespread commercial deployment? This paper provides an update on the status of Central Receiver Systems (CRS), which utilize heliostat fields and solar receivers on towers to generate electricity. The research examines the technical feasibility, ongoing projects, and technological advancements in CRS power plants. The review highlights the progress made since the early pilot plants of the 1980s, emphasizing the improvement of key components like heliostats and solar receivers. The paper discusses solar-only plants, like Solar Tres and PS10, as well as hybrid schemes, such as SOLGAS, CONSOLAR, and SOLGATE. It focuses on initial competitive markets by 2015 with LECs between $0.04/kWh–$0.06/kWh. This analysis suggests that CRS technology is maturing and nearing commercial viability. The authors predict a significant reduction in costs compared to previous feasibility studies, paving the way for the technology to penetrate competitive energy markets in the near future. The analysis provides a roadmap for achieving a levelized energy cost (LEC) of $0.08/kWh by the year 2010
Published in the Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, this paper perfectly aligns with the journal's focus on solar energy technologies and their applications. By providing an update on the status of solar central receiver systems and their economic viability, the research contributes to the advancement of solar energy engineering and its role in meeting global energy demands.