Search

ABSTRACTThe choice of a solar radiation data source is expected to have a significant impact on the predicted performance of a concentrating solar power (CSP) system and consequently on its technical and financial feasibility. In the present study, an attempt has been made to analyse the effect of choice of various solar radiation data sources on the predicted performance of a CSP system at 13 different locations in 5 different climatic zones of India. It was observed that there is significant variation in the amount of annual electricity output obtained for various locations using different solar radiation data sources resulting in variations in levelised cost of electricity. For a 50-MW parabolic trough-based CSP plant located in Jaisalmer, the estimated value of annual electricity output varies from 63 to 124 GWh. For a CSP plant based on the central tower receiver technology, the corresponding range is from 106 to 145 GWh.

ABSTRACTEstimation of renewable energy utilisation potential is important for identification of niche areas and prioritisation amongst different options. However, large variation in the potential estimates has been observed in different studies for the same renewable energy technology. This study is an attempt to analyse such a variation in the estimated potential for solar thermal power generation in India. From the analysis of three studies, it is found that the values of input parameters and the assumptions made substantially affect the estimated potential. The estimates of the utilisation potential depend upon the categories of wastelands selected, the chosen values of threshold DNI and wind speed as well as the criteria used for allocating suitable wastelands between solar photo-voltaic (PV) and thermal power generation. It is therefore critically important that reported values of renewable energy utilisation potential be interpreted and used with full cognisance of assumptions made and input parameters used in estimation.