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Dish-Stirling systems have demonstrated the highest efficiency of any solar power generation system by converting nearly 30% of direct-normal incident solar radiation into electricity after accounting for parasitic power losses [1]. These high-performance, solar power systems have been in development for two decades with the primary focus in recent years on reducing the capital and operating costs of systems. Even though the systems currently cost about $10,000 US/kW installed, major cost reduction will occur with mass production and further development of the systems. Substantial progress has been made to improve reliability thereby reducing the operating and maintenance costs of the systems. As capital costs drop to about $3000 US/kW, promising market opportunities appear to be developing in green power and distributed generation markets in the southwestern United States and in Europe. In this paper, we review the current status of four Dish-Stirling systems that are being developed for commercial markets and present system specifications and review system performance and cost data. We also review the economics, capital cost, operating and maintenance costs, and the emerging markets for Dish-Stirling systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides continuous implementation of concentrating solar power plants (CSP) in Europe, which stipulate cost reduction by mass production effects, further R&D activities are necessary to achieve the cost competitiveness to fossil power generation. The European Concentrated Solar Thermal Roadmap (ECOSTAR) study that was conducted by European research institutes in the field of CSP intends to stipulate the direction for R&D activities in the context of cost reduction. This paper gives an overview about the methodology and the results for one of the seven different CSP system concepts that are currently under promotion worldwide and considered within ECOSTAR. The technology presented here is the parabolic trough with direct steam generation (DSG), which may be considered as an evolution of the existing parabolic systems with thermal oil as heat transfer fluid. The methodology is explained using this exemplary system, and the technical improvements are evaluated according to their cost-reduction potential using a common approach, based on an annual performance model. Research priorities are given based on the results. The simultaneous implementation of three measures is required in order to achieve the cost-reduction target: Technical improvement by R&D, upscaling of the unit size, and mass production of the equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]