Combination of PV and central receiver CSP plants for base load power generation in South Africa

Abstract This paper introduces a novel concept of a PV enhanced central receiver concentrating solar power (CSP) plant for South Africa that can dispatch solar energy from daytime to the night in order to provide solar base load capacity to the grid. Various simulations of standalone PV and CSP plants were carried out and compared to simulation results of the new CSP/PV hybrid concept. A higher annual energy yield and capacity factors of up to 90% can be expected while, at the same time, system size, thus, costs can be reduced. The levelised costs of electricity (LCOE) vary in the range of 0.133–0.157 $/kW h for base load-capable configurations which can substitute generation capacity from old coal-fired power plants. This replacement approach is backed by the high solar irradiation levels found in South Africa, making CSP/PV power plants a sustainable solution to reduce emissions and increase the share of renewables in South Africa.