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Concentrating Solar Power for Electricity Providers

Photo of a concentrating solar power system.

The world's largest solar facility in California consists of a 150-megawatt concentrating solar power system that utilizes parabolic trough collectors

The following resources can provide you with more information on concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. If you are unfamiliar with this technology, see the introduction to concentrating solar power systems.

Research, Development and Deployment

NREL Concentrating Solar Power Research
Conducts R&D in parabolic-trough technologies, systems-driven modeling and analysis, and advanced components and technologies.

Southwest Concentrating Solar Power 1,000-MW Initiative
A U.S. Department of Energy goal to install 1,000 megawatts of new concentrating solar power systems in the southwestern United States by 2010.

U.S. Department of Energy SunLab
A partnership between NREL and Sandia National Laboratories for administering concentrating solar power R&D and analysis activities.

U.S. Department of Energy Distributed Energy Program: Concentrating Solar Power
Provides information on how small, modular concentrating solar power systems can be combined with other electric generation systems to improve the operation of an electric delivery system.

U.S. Department of Energy Green Power Network provides news on green power markets and utility green pricing programs—both domestic and international.

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council's Interconnection Project provides technical assistance to utilities in the process of developing interconnection rules for renewable energy systems.

Analysis and Planning

NREL Electric Markets Analysis and Applications Program
Provides strategic information to clients focused on facilitating renewable energy technologies in electricity markets.

NREL Solar Radiation Data Manual for Flat-Plate and Concentrating Collectors
Allows you to find out the average, minimum, and maximum amount of solar energy available at your location, by month or for the entire year.

NREL Renewable Electric Plant Information System
Features a database of comprehensive information on grid-connected renewable electric generation plants in the United States.

More Resources

U.S. Department of Energy Power Topics
Features resources by topic and organization type.