National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Learning About Renewable Energy

Concentrating Solar Power for Electricity Providers

Photo of two men standing in front of a large concentrating solar power system consisting of numerous parabolic troughs.

The world's largest solar facility in California consists of a 150-megawatt concentrating solar power system that uses 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
Highlights the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's research and development in parabolic trough solar technology and on advanced concentrating solar power technologies.

U.S. Department of Energy Concentrating Solar Power
Describes the research, development, and deployment efforts of the Department of Energy.

Southwest Concentrating Solar Power 1000-MW Initiative
Discusses the U.S. Department of Energy goal to install 1000 megawatts of new concentrating solar power systems in the southwestern United States by 2010.

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 Connecting to the Grid Program provides news and resources for utilities developing interconnection rules for renewable energy systems.

Analysis and Planning

NREL Market Analysis Model and Tools
Provides a list of models and tools for market analysis to facilitate 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.