Solar "tower reflector" systems: A new approach for high-temperature solar plants

During the last few years, considerable research efforts have been directed at the Weizmann Institute towards development of high-concentration, high-temperature solar energy systems. This included optical methods and devices, thermal receivers for solar thermal electricity generation, and thermo-chemical processes for solar energy storage and solar fuel production. Some of these efforts are now mature enough for transfer to industry, and programs are starting to affect the transfer and upscale the new technologies to commercial levels. Feasibility studies carried out during 1995 in cooperation with industry have shown the advantage of the new high-concentration system approach. The costs of high-quality solar energy are attractive, even before application of government subsidies: $800/kW(th) for high-temperature process heat applications, and $2500/kW(e) for solar/hybrid power plants. (C) 1997 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.