Study on Renewable Energy Resources, Oman - authority for ...

Renewable Energy Resources in Oman
Advantages/disadvantages
The advantages and disadvantages for solar thermal power plants and large PV
plants are compared in below Table 5.1.
Table 5.1 Advantages and disadvantages for solar PV and CSP
Solar PV
CSP ‐ Concentrating Solar Power
Advantages Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages
Low or no pollution The high cost at present. Low or no pollution The high cost at
present
Very flexible from
small to very large
plants.
Only produce electricity
when the sun is shining.
Can be made with
heat storage to supply
electricity constantly
as a base load plant.
Only for larger plants,
in the future more
than 100 MW or perhaps
200 MW.
Cost reductions expected
to make PV directly
competitive to
conventional power
Electricity is produced
directly and electricity
is difficult (expensive)
to store.
Cost reductions in the
same magnitude as for
PV expected or possible.
Certain parts (storage
and heat transfer media)
still under development.
sometimes with in the
next few decades.
Used off grid as well as
on-grid.
Suitable for desert
location.
Longer implementation
time than PV.
Can serve other purposes
if integrated into
buildings, shading,
roofing etc.
Excess heat from
power production can
be used for desalination.
Uses only direct radiation.
Potential converted
percentage of
solar insolation lower
than with PV. But
excess heat can be
used.
Feed into the grid in
urban areas give less
losses.
Proven technology with
long life time
Low maintenance and
simple to apply.
Page 82 of 134
.