Separation of latitude-dependent and climate-dependent effects of CSP power plant performance

Abstract

Using artificially generated weather data for different latitudes from 0° to 40° and for DNI levels from 2400 to 3600 kWh/(m2a) the variation of seasonally variable generation has been investigated. The effects of weather and latitude thus could be separated. The investigated CSP optical systems were Linear Fresnel (LFR), Parabolic Trough (PT) and Central Receiver Systems with circular heliostat fields (CRS). The simulation tool SAM 2017.9.5 has been used for producing and analyzing the hourly electrical generation of the different power plant designs. For comparison, identical capacity factors CF and storage capacities have been chosen. These considerations were not intended to guide commercial design as cost and profits have not been included in the analysis. The paper is targeted towards separating the latitude effect in CSP generation profiles from other effects, and to show the potential in designing solar power plants with reduced seasonal variation. The results indicate a similar and stronger variation of seasonal generation for linearly concentrating collectors than for CRS systems, however this changes when going to East-West orientation of the receiver. Flat plate PV power plants may be used to compensate the lower seasonal yields during the winter months in a mixed CSP-PV power plant design, if steeply inclined modules are being used.