From the perspective of heat collection, the requirements of solar thermal power generation for the application area are higher than that of photovoltaic power generation. As the name suggests, CSP is based on heat and requires high-temperature irradiation, while photovoltaic power generally does not have such high requirements for heat. Where we live in, the intensity of solar radiation is not enough for the construction of CSP stations. Therefore, in daily life, we are not familiar with CSP.
From the perspective of the heat transfer medium, the molten salt and other substances used in CSP have low cost, high value, and sustainable use, which are superior to high-cost, low-life photovoltaic cells. Therefore, the energy storage capacity of solar thermal power generation is much higher than that of photovoltaic power generation. At the same time, due to the good energy storage effect of CSP, when it is connected to the grid, it will be less affected by weather and environmental factors, and will have a low response to grid load fluctuations. Therefore, solar thermal power generation is better than photovoltaic power generation in terms of the dispatchability of power generation.
From the perspective of the heat transfer medium driving the engine power generation link, photovoltaic power generation only requires photoelectric conversion, while photothermal power generation requires photothermal conversion after photoelectric conversion. Visible photothermal power generation steps are more complicated.
However, the extra link in CSP can be applied to other areas. For example, the heat generated by solar thermal power generation can reduce the salinity of seawater, desalinate seawater, and can also be used in industrial production. This shows that CSP has a wider application field than photovoltaic power generation.
But at the same time, one more step is required to master science and technology, and the more difficult it is to apply it to the actual engineering field. CSP is more difficult than photovoltaic power generation, and my country’s CSP research and development started later than photovoltaic power generation. Therefore, CSP technology is still being improved and improved.
As the so-called principle produces differences, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. That would require mutual efforts. CSP and photovoltaic power generation still have a long way to go.