Listed below are the major steps followed and the costs involved in setting up Concentrated Solar
Thermal plant however the steps and the method of setting a CSP plant may vary across regions, based
on the different local conditions such as administration, legislations , guidelines and other factors.
COSTS
TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS CAPITAL COSTS (USD/KW) TYPICAL ENERGY COSTS (LCOE-US cents/Kwh
1)
Concentrating Solar Thermal power (CSP)
Types: parabolic trough, tower, dish Plant size: 50-250 MW (trough) 20-250 MW (tower) 10-100 MW (Fresnel) Capacity factor: 20-35% (no storage) 35-80% (with storage)
Trough, no storage: 5000-7000 (OECD) 3100-4050 (non-OECD) Trough, 6 hours storage: 6000-8000 Tower: 6000 (United States. Without storage); 9000 (United States, with storage)
Trough and Fresnel: 19–38 (no storage); 17–37 (6 hours storage Tower: 12.5–16.4 (United States; high end of range is with storage)
Source: Renewables 2015, Global Status Report
The owner needs to identify the purpose of setting a CSP plant by conducting a need
assessment wherein the place of setup should also be identified. This step involves creating
a feasibility report for the project.
STEP 2
STEP 1
Installer firstly should have knowledge about solar energy and Concentrated Solar Power
(CSP).
All about Solar Energy Case studies
Status of solar thermal technology in India
How to set up a Concentrated Solar Thermal Plant
What is Solar Energy?
Scope of the project
The site for the installation needs to be assessed with regard to the resource available and
the energy needs.
Though not many policies have been brought up till date promoting only CSP installations,
most of the integrated Renewable Energy policies and policies focusing on Solar Energy
have a section dedicated to CSP installation also. Other than this, an installer needs to
follow certain formats and patterns for attaining benefits from MNRE.
The owner should identify the vendor or the installer for executing the installation from
MNRE channel partner list.
STEP 3
India Solar Resource Solar radiation map
STEP 4
STEP 5
List of Channel Partners for Concentrating Solar Technologies (CSTs) based systems
Policies on Solar Energy
(Chapter 5)
Format for submission of project proposal for installation of CST based system for
process heat/community cooking/cooling application
Guidelines for preparation and submission of proposals
for solar thermal systems
Subsidy pattern for solar thermal systems/devices
Procedure for installation of systems & availing MNRE subsidy
List of Manufacturers / Suppliers empanelled by MNRE
Format for the release of Government subsidy to channel partner/ beneficiaries for
installation of solar steam generating systems
Site Assessment
Selection of vendor/EPC/Installer
Legal and Regulatory Framework
This step involves looking for the financial support available by MNRE and IREDA and
availing that support.
The owner and the installer collectively need to finalize the design of the CSP system.
There are different CSP technologies amongst which an installer can make a choice.
STEP 6
Financing Norms and Schemes IREDA
Scheme on Implementation of CST based projects for Process heat applications in
ESCO (Energy Service Company) mode
STEP 7
Sample: Design Approach, Experience and Results of 1MW Solar Thermal Power Plant
Additional Support Available for CST Based Systems under UNDP-GEF CSH Project
Scheme on repair of non-functioning CST based systems on cost sharing basis
Manufacture wise installation of CST based systems [MNRE CFA (central financial
assistance)]
Brief on various concentrated solar heat technologies
Fixed Focus Elliptical Solar Dish (Scheffler)
Fresnel Reflector Based Dish
Linear Fresnel Reflector Concentrator
Non-Imaging Concentrator
Paraboloid Dish
Different Concentrated Solar Power technologies:
Parabolic Trough Concentrator
Financing
Design of CSP (Technology selection) and its benefits
Banks and Institutions that Support Renewable Energy Financing in India
The owner needs to look for Contracts and Bids if there are any.
This involves Installation & Commissioning of the plant and a third-party Inspection as per the
Tender Document (If applicable).
STEP 8
Sample: Indian Institute of
Technology Jodhpur (IITJ) tender
STEP 9
After installation and commissioning the owner needs to know and follow the maintenance
requirements for selected CSP technology. Periodic checking of the technology also comes
under this step.
Parabolic Trough based Solar System
STEP 10
Sample: Invitation for Bids (GAIL
consortium)
Linear Fresnel Reflector based Solar System
Non-Imaging Concentrator based Solar System
Scheffler Dish based Solar System
ARUN Dish based Solar System
Operation and Maintenance manuals:
Tendering and Procurement
Implementation- and Post-installation Inspection
Operation and Maintenance