National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Concentrating Solar Power Research

Publications

NREL develops publications, including technical reports and papers, about its R&D activities in concentrating solar power, as well as related information. Below you'll find a list of selected NREL publications concerning these activities.

Also see TroughNet's publications on parabolic trough technology, and market and economic assessment.

For other NREL concentrating solar power publications, you can search NREL's Publications Database.

Selected Publications

These publications are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

Concentrating Solar Power Commercial Application Study: Reducing Water Consumption of Concentrating Solar Power Electricity Generation

Report to Congress (PDF 1.1 MB)
Author: U.S Department of Energy

Modeling Photovoltaic and Concentrating Solar Power Trough Performance, Cost, and Financing with the Solar Advisor Model

NREL Conference Paper (Preprint): (PDF 373 KB)
Event: Solar 2008 Conference, May 3-8, 2008, San Diego, California
Authors: Blair, N.; Mehos, M.; Christensen, C.; Cameron, C.

Economic, Energy, and Environmental Benefits of Concentrating Solar Power in California

NREL Subcontract Report: (PDF 1.5 MB)
Authors: Stoddard, L.; Abiecunas, J.; O'Connell, R.
Publication Date: April 2006

The Potential Economic Impact of Constructing and Operating Solar Power Generation Facilities in Nevada

NREL Subcontract Report: (PDF 948 KB)
Authors: Schwer, R.K.; Riddel, M.
Publication Date: February 2004

Executive Summary: Assessment of Parabolic Trough and Power Tower Solar Technology Cost and Performance Forecasts

NREL Subcontract Report: (PDF 588 KB)
Author: Sargent & Lundy LLC Consulting Group
Publication Date: October 2003

Assessment of Parabolic Trough and Power Tower Solar Technology Cost and Performance Forecasts

NREL Subcontract Report: (PDF 2.42 MB)
Author: Sargent & Lundy LLC Consulting Group
Publication Date: October 2003

Assessing the Potential for Renewable Energy on Public Lands

U.S. Department of Energy Report: (PDF 4.53 MB)
Publication Date: February 2003

Brighter than a Hundred Suns: Solar Power for the Southwest

NREL Subcontract Report: (PDF 809 KB)
Authors: Leitner, A.; Owens, B.
Publication Date: January 2003

Fuel from the Sky: Solar Power's Potential for Western Energy Supply

NREL Subcontract Report: (PDF 2.94 MB)
Author: Leitner, A.
Publication Date: July 2002