Solar thermal power plants — Utility-scale facilities that convert sunlight to heat to drive steam turbines for electricity generation.

While photovoltaic (PV) solar panels have become a common sight on rooftops and in large fields, another solar technology is quietly playing a crucial role in the global energy transition: concentrated solar power (CSP). Unlike PV, which converts sunlight directly into electricity, CSP systems use mirrors to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small receiver.

This concentrated energy heats a fluid, which is then used to create steam to drive a turbine, generating electricity. What makes CSP particularly compelling is its ability to store thermal energy for use after the sun sets, making it a reliable source of dispatchable power. This discussion will explore the Concentrated Solar Power Market and its defining technologies.

At its core, a solar thermal power plant is any facility that harnesses the sun’s energy to produce heat, which is then used for electricity generation. CSP technologies fall under this umbrella, but the term itself can also include simpler systems that generate hot water for industrial processes or residential use. These plants are distinct from PV installations because they focus on converting sunlight into thermal energy before electrical energy. This reliance on heat allows them to integrate thermal storage, a key feature that separates them from other renewable energy sources. This fundamental difference is what gives solar thermal power a unique and strategic role in a modern, diversified energy grid, particularly for utility-scale applications where consistent power delivery is critical.