SUN DIVERSIFYING

Solar energy strategy: Diversify to survive; Growing technology diversification illustrates how the CSP industry is targeting greater efficiency and maximising its investments. Expect more to come.
Jason Deign, 17 June 2011 (CSP Today)

"CSP has always been a specialist game. Leaders such as Abengoa or Sener have got where they are now by doing one thing only and doing it well…But that picture is gradually changing.

"Developers are trying their hands at new CSP technologies: witness Sener-owned Torresol Energy’s foray into power towers after building a reputation in parabolic troughs, or SkyFuel’s grant-funded work on a linear power tower concept alongside its SkyTrough technology."

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"And some CSP companies are going even further. Solar Millennium and Ferrostaal’s joint venture, Solar Trust of America, last month struck a deal with SolarHybrid to develop photovoltaic (PV) plants. SolarReserve is also adding PV capacity to its existing CSP portfolio.

"…There are a couple of reasons…essentially [reflecting] the evolution of technology…Brett Prior, senior analyst at GTM Research [said trough technology is] about the same price now as tower, but…is going to have faster cost improvements over the next decade…[and] GTM Research analysis shows that concentrated PV (CPV), in particular, compares favourably with other solar options…"