Concentrated Solar Power: Past, Present, and Future

What was a major drawback of photovoltaic solar cells in the late 70s?

• They were not environmentally friendly.

• They required a lot of space.

• They were outrageously expensive.

• They were not efficient.

How does concentrated solar power (CSP) generate electricity?

• By using mirrors to concentrate sunlight and heat a fluid.

• By using wind turbines.

• By converting sunlight directly into electricity.

• By using geothermal energy.

Why did CSP technology decline in popularity?

• It was banned in many countries.

• It became more expensive than photovoltaic technology.

• It required rare materials.

• It was less efficient than wind energy.

What is a challenge faced by CSP plants that photovoltaic panels do not encounter?

• They are less efficient in cold climates.

• They require a lot of water.

• They need to track the sun's movement.

• They are affected by wind conditions.

What is a significant advantage of CSP over photovoltaic solar cells?

• CSP can generate electricity at night.

• CSP is cheaper to install.

• CSP requires less maintenance.

• CSP is more portable.

What innovation is being used in newer CSP plants to store energy?

• Molten salt storage tanks.

• Compressed air storage.

• Hydrogen fuel cells.

• Lithium-ion batteries.

What was a major issue with the Crescent Dunes CSP project?

• It faced numerous technical problems with molten salt.

• It was too expensive to maintain.

• It was located in a cloudy region.

• It was too small to be effective.

Why is China investing in CSP technology?

• To complement photovoltaic solar with nighttime energy storage.

• To export CSP technology to other countries.

• To reduce dependency on wind energy.

• To replace coal power plants.

What is a potential benefit of China's involvement in CSP?

• It will limit the use of photovoltaic solar panels.

• It will help achieve economies of scale and reduce costs.

• It will lead to the development of smaller CSP plants.

• It will make CSP technology more expensive.

What is necessary for CSP to succeed in the future?

• Reduction in global temperatures.

• Development of new photovoltaic technologies.

• Government policy support.

• Increased use of fossil fuels.