What does Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) use to generate electricity?

What does Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) use to generate electricity?

• A. Mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight onto a small area, producing steam to drive a turbine.
• B. Photovoltaic cells to directly convert sunlight to electricity.
• C. Wind turbines atop solar towers.
• D. Nuclear heat exchangers to heat water.

Answer: (A)

Concentrated Solar Power uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, producing heat high enough to turn water into steam. That steam then drives a turbine connected to a generator, producing electricity. The key idea is converting solar heat into mechanical energy via a steam cycle, rather than converting light directly to electricity or relying on wind or nuclear heat. This approach contrasts with photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight directly into electricity without creating steam or using a turbine. It also isn’t about wind power or nuclear heating; CSP simply uses concentrated solar heat to drive a steam turbine.

Concentrated Solar Power uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, producing heat high enough to turn water into steam. That steam then drives a turbine connected to a generator, producing electricity. The key idea is converting solar heat into mechanical energy via a steam cycle, rather than converting light directly to electricity or relying on wind or nuclear heat.

This approach contrasts with photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight directly into electricity without creating steam or using a turbine. It also isn’t about wind power or nuclear heating; CSP simply uses concentrated solar heat to drive a steam turbine.