Concentrating Solar PowerConcentrating solar power (CSP) systems turn solar energy into electricity. Mirrors focus the sun’s rays onto an area filled with a liquid agent that heats up and turns water to steam which in turn powers a generator that produces electricity.
Solar thermal plants are electrical plants powered by solar energy using one of three types of CSP systems: • Dish system (bowl-shaped mirrors that reflect sunlight directly to a heat powered engine) • Troughs (rows of long, curved mirrors) • Power towers (container full of liquid sits on top of tall tower surrounded by large field of computer-controlled mirrors aimed at the container) Challenges to OvercomeThe biggest challenge to converting solar energy to solar electric power is the cost. CSP plants are expensive to build and maintain. In the future, as supplies of fossil fuels dwindle, we will not have a choice, though. It is likely that in time costs will come down as technology improves and demand increases.
Alternative Energy Sources
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