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