Combining thermal and photovoltaic generation
Hybrid systems pair concentrated solar power (CSP) with photovoltaic (PV) arrays to take advantage of both technologies: PV for broad, low-cost electricity generation from direct and diffuse light; CSP for high-temperature heat and thermal storage.
Benefits of hybridization:
- Improved capacity factor: CSP with storage can supply power when PV output falls, smoothing generation.
- Shared infrastructure: common grid interconnection and site costs can reduce total project cost.
- Complementary resource use: PV performs relatively well in diffuse conditions; CSP needs high DNI and provides dispatchable heat/electricity.
Design considerations:
- Land and layout: balance space between PV arrays and concentrator fields while avoiding mutual shading.
- Control and dispatch: integrated energy management schedules PV and CSP outputs and uses storage optimally.
- Economics: hybrid projects can be structured to reduce curtailment and meet firm power contracts.
Hybrid CSP–PV projects are attractive where a mix of low-cost daytime power and dispatchable, stored energy is valuable to utilities or industrial users.