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- One of the key differentiating factors is that heat energy from CSP is more easily and efficiently stored than PV.
- CSP heat storage is relatively cheap and its life expectancy long whereas PV would depend upon a battery bank that has a shorter life and is more expensive.
- CSP is therefore better for 24/7 dispatchable power.
- CSP can cope with rising energy demand, having higher peak efficiency – delivering electricity, air conditioning, hot water and process heat to meet diverse requirements.
- CSP efficiency is at least double that of PV (15/20% compared with 10/15%).
- CSP generated electricity is AC at the correct voltage whereas PV generates DC current that must be converted.
- PV conversion from DC to AC requires additional equipment (an inverter) that requires maintenance and power (perhaps 10/20% of the energy}.
- CSP plants have a proven track record with the first commercial installation in 1985.
