Installed Capacity Price Competitiveness of CSP Versus PV

Solar electricity can be generated by either photovoltaic panels or concentrating solar power (CSP), which uses a thermal cycle. The recent historic drop in photovoltaic panel prices has encouraged the opinion that CSP, with its higher levelized cost of energy, has poor prospects outside of niche deployments. We review evidence for the contrary view, supported by the International Energy Agency and others, that CSP’s market prospects are in fact bright.