Chile Solar Thermal Power Market Outlook
Summary of Chile Solar Thermal Power Industry ( Solar Thermal Magazine)
Chile’s economic development is dependent upon the power supply in the country. The copper-mining industry, which is third largest in the world, is a major contributor to Chile’s economic success.
Chile’s power sector registered moderate growth from 10,800.2 MW in 2001 to 17,610.6 MW in 2012 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.16%. Thermal power is the largest power source in the country in terms of capacity, accounting for around 65.98% of Chile’s total power generation in 2012, followed by hydropower with 30.66%.
Solar thermal energy (STE) is a technology for harnessing solar energy for thermal energy (heat). Solar thermal collectors are classified by the United States Energy Information Administration as low-, medium-, or high-temperature collectors. Low-temperature collectors are flat plates generally used to heat swimming pools. Medium-temperature collectors are also usually flat plates but are used for heating water or air for residential and commercial use. High-temperature collectors concentrate sunlight using mirrors orlenses and are generally used for electric power production. STE is different from and much more efficient than solar photovoltaics, which converts solar energy directly into electricity.
Wind and solar Photovoltaic (PV) are now being considered contributors to the overall portfolio and currently account for around 1.2% of Chile’s total installed capacity. In 2012, per-capita electricity consumption amounted to 3,301 kWh in Chile, where the population is around 17.4 million.
Scope
– The report provides detailing on Chilean power market and prospect of concentrated solar power technology.
– This report also covers Chile’s grid connection availability and capability, all concentrated solar power projects
Gordon’s expertise in the area of industrial energy efficiency and alternative energy. He is an experienced electrical engineer with a Masters degree in Alternative Energy technology. He is the co-founder of several renewable energy media sites including Solar Thermal Magazine.
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Tags: CSP, solar thermal energy
