2. what is solar tower
classifications
steam based
molten salt based
heliostat
advantages of use of solar energy
application
scope in India
contents
3. • the solar power tower, also known as ‘central tower’ power plants or ‘heliostat’ power plants or
power towers, is a type of solar furnace using a tower to receive the focused sunlight.
• it uses an array of flat, movable mirrors to focus the sun’s rays upon a collector tower.
• concentrated solar thermal is seen as one viable solution for renewable, pollution-free energy.
Whatissolartower
4. Solar tower can be basically classified as :-
1) Steam based solar tower
o water is used as medium which is converted to steam to generate electric power.
2) Molten salt based tower
o here melted solution of potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate is used instead of
water as a medium
Classifications
5. a heliostat is a device that includes a mirror, usually a plane mirror, which turns so as to keep
reflecting sunlight toward a predetermined target, compensating for the sun’s apparent motions in the
sky.
the target may be a physical object, distant from the heliostat, or a direction in space.
nowadays, most heliostat are used for daylighting or for the production of concentrated solar power.
Heliostat
6. Solar power is pollution free and causes no greenhouse gases to be emitted after installation.
Reduced dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels.
Renewable clean power that is available every day of the year, even cloudy days produce some
power.
Return on investment unlike paying for utility bills.
Virtually no maintenance as solar panels last over 30 years.
Creates jobs by employing solar panel manufacturers, solar installers, etc. and in turn helps
the economy.
advantagesofuseofsolarenergy
7. Solarpowertowersconvertsunshineintocleanelectricity.
The technologyusesmanylarge, sun-trackingmirrorscommonlyreferredto as heliostatsto focus
sunlightona receiverat thetopof a tower.
A heat transfer fluid heated in the receiver is used to generate steam, which, in turn, is used in a
conventional turbine-generator to produce electricity.
Early power towers such as the Solar One plant used steam as the heat transfer fluid.
Current power towers, based on Solar Two, use molten nitrate salt because of its superior heat
transfer and energy storage capabilities.
application
8. Solarpower in India is a fast developing industry. The country's solar installed capacity was 35,739 MW
as of 31 August 2020.
The Indian government had an initial target of 20 GW capacity for 2022, which was achieved four years
ahead of schedule.
In 2015 the target was raised to 100 GW of solar capacity (including 40 GW from rooftop solar) by 2022,
targeting an investment of US$100 billion.
India has established nearly 42 solar parks to make land available to the promoters of solar plants.
scopeinIndia
