Solar Solar Thermal Thermal

PlantsPlants

Thermal Energy: Thermal Energy:

Reliable sourceReliable source Could potentially supply 10% U.S. energy Could potentially supply 10% U.S. energy

demanddemand

Concentrating Solar Power Concentrating Solar Power Technologies (CSP)Technologies (CSP)

By using 1% of the earth’s deserts to build By using 1% of the earth’s deserts to build CSPs more electricity could be produced CSPs more electricity could be produced than is currently being produced by fossil than is currently being produced by fossil fuels by the entire planetfuels by the entire planet

How they work:How they work:

Generate electricity indirectlyGenerate electricity indirectly

1.1. Heat from sun rays is collected and heats fluid. Heat from sun rays is collected and heats fluid.

2.2. Steam produced from heated fluid powers a Steam produced from heated fluid powers a generator. generator.

3.3. Produces electricity. Produces electricity.

Parabolic TroughParabolic Trough

Parabolic DishParabolic Dish

Power TowerPower Tower

Thermal Energy StorageThermal Energy Storage

Thermal energy storage is up to 93% Thermal energy storage is up to 93% efficient and can supply energy when sun efficient and can supply energy when sun is not shining is not shining

Buy this product!Buy this product!

Cost of building, maintaining, and operating solar Cost of building, maintaining, and operating solar thermal electric system shas decreased thermal electric system shas decreased dramaticallydramatically

Economically competitive with conventional Economically competitive with conventional electricityelectricity

Possible to produce at $0.06 or $0.07 per kWhPossible to produce at $0.06 or $0.07 per kWh