Question

For a large-scale utility to be used \(24 \times 7\), which choice of solar energy is preferable?

• A. Solar Photovoltaic cells with lead-acid batteries
• B. Rooftop Solar panels
• C. Concentrated Solar Power
• D. Floating Solar farms

Hint:

For large-scale, round-the-clock (\(24 \times 7\)) solar power utilities, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is preferred over PV panels because it can store solar energy as heat in cost-effective molten salt tanks, allowing it to generate electricity all night long.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Operating a large-scale power utility continuously (\(24 \times 7\)) requires a system capable of managing solar energy's natural intermittency. While solar photovoltaic (PV) systems generate electricity directly from sunlight, they require massive, expensive chemical battery storage arrays to supply power after sunset. Step-by-step Explanation:
• Limitations of standard PV arrays (Options A, B, and D): Rooftop, ground-mounted, or floating solar PV systems generate power only during daylight hours. Relying on lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries to store enough energy for a large-scale utility at night remains economically impractical and difficult to scale.
• Mechanism of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) (Option C): CSP plants use extensive fields of mirrors (heliostats) to focus sunlight onto a central receiver. This concentrated solar energy heats a working fluid (such as molten salt) to extreme temperatures.
• Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Advantages: This high-temperature fluid can be stored in insulated tanks with minimal heat loss. At night or during cloudy periods, the stored heat is extracted to produce steam, driving a conventional turbine to generate electricity. This built-in thermal storage allows CSP plants to provide steady, dispatchable power round-the-clock, making it the ideal choice for a large-scale \(24 \times 7\) solar utility.