Is A Concentrating Solar Power System Right For You?

Concentrating Solar Power Systems

When it comes to solar power, most people think of photovoltaic panels. These are the typical rooftop panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity. Photovoltaic panels are relatively simple to install and don’t take up much space.

There are other ways you can use solar power to help reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bill. Concentrating solar power systems can do the same things as PV systems but in a different way.

A concentrating solar power system focuses the sun’s rays onto a small area, which creates heat and steam that powers a generator. The primary benefit of this system is that it uses less land area than photovoltaic arrays because there are no panels or batteries required.

A concentrating solar power system will likely cost more than installing PV panels, but could potentially save you money in the long run because it’s able to capture more light per unit of land area compared with PVs.

Let’s take a closer look at whether a concentrating solar system is right for you and your home or business.

What Is A Concentrating Solar Power System?

A concentrating solar power system is a grid-connected solar power system that uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area. This small area is usually a receiver. The receiver is a device that uses the heat and light from the sun to create steam.

The steam is then used to turn a turbine and create electricity. These systems are different than photovoltaic solar energy systems because they don’t convert sunlight into electricity directly but instead use the heat from the sun to create steam, which then turns a turbine.

How Does A Concentrating Solar Power System Work?

A concentrating solar power system will typically use a series of mirrors and/or lenses to concentrate the sun’s rays onto a receiver. The receiver is a device that uses the heat from the sun’s rays and the light from the sun to create steam. The steam is then used to turn a turbine and create electricity.

Pros of a Concentrating Solar Power System

A smaller land area – Because there are no panels or batteries required, a concentrating solar power system will likely use less land area than a photovoltaic system. If you’re looking to cut back on how much space is required for a solar system, concentrating solar could be a good option for you.
Higher energy output per unit area – Compared with photovoltaic panels, concentrating solar has the potential to capture more light per unit of land area. This means that you can get more electricity from the same number of concentrating solar panels than you can from photovoltaic panels.
Longer life span – While a PV system will last between 10 and 25 years, a concentrating solar power system is designed to last 30 to 40 years. This could potentially save you money in the long run compared with a PV system.
Low maintenance – Because there are no panels or batteries to maintain, a concentrating solar power system is less likely to break down than a PV system. When a PV system breaks down, you have to replace all of the components, which can be time-consuming and expensive.

With a concentrating solar system, you’re typically paid for the electricity you generate through a power purchase agreement.

Cons of a Concentrating Solar Power System

Higher upfront costs – While a PV system could cost you less than $10,000, a concentrating solar system could cost you $40,000 to $50,000 or more. If you don’t have the cash flow to cover the full cost, you will likely have to get financing with a loan.
Longer installation time – Because a concentrating solar power system uses mirrors and lenses, it will take longer to install than a PV system. Depending on your situation and the amount of sunlight in your area, the installation could last anywhere from two to six weeks.
Potential decrease in value – Because a concentrating solar power system doesn’t generate electricity as readily during the night or on cloudy days, it could potentially decrease in value if you sell your home.
Requires more maintenance – Because there are more components in a concentrating solar power system than a PV system, it will likely require more maintenance. You could have to move the system every five years to avoid wear and tear and to keep it working most efficiently. You’ll also have to clean the mirrors on a regular basis to avoid a decrease in efficiency.

Should You Get A Concentrating Solar Power System?

If you’re looking to go solar and reduce your carbon footprint, a concentrating solar power system could be a great choice for your home or business. It will likely cost you more than a PV system, but it could save you money in the long run because it requires less land area.

When choosing between concentrating solar power systems and PV systems, it’s important to consider your unique situation. If you have a smaller space that you could use for a concentrating solar power system, it could potentially generate more electricity than a PV system. If you have a larger area to use, it’s likely that a PV system would be the best option for you.