EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -CSP technologies use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto a receiver. The energy from the concentrated sunlight heats a high temperature fluid in the receiver. This heat-also known as thermal energy-can be used to spin a turbine or power an engine to generate electricity.

Detailed explanation-2: -Concentrating solar collectors use mirrors and lenses to con-centrate and focus sunlight onto a thermal receiver, similar to a boiler tube. The receiver absorbs and converts sun-light into heat. The heat is then transported to a steam generator or engine where it is converted into electricity.

Detailed explanation-3: -Power tower systems – These systems use mirrors called heliostats that track the sun and focus its energy onto a receiver at the top of a tower.

Detailed explanation-4: -Concentrated-solar technology systems use mirrors or lenses with tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight onto a small area. The concentrated light is then used as heat or as a heat source for a conventional power plant (solar thermoelectricity).

Detailed explanation-5: -Concentrating solar power systems harness heat from sunlight to provide electricity for large power stations. Many power plants today use fossil fuels as a heat source to boil water. The steam from the boiling water spins a large turbine, which drives a generator to produce electricity.