4. Conclusion

Solar thermal power plants are still in their infancy. Current levels of investment costs (€2,500 to €3,500/kW) and operating and maintenance costs result in electricity production costs of around €0.16 to €0.24/kWh, depending on the technology, under solar radiation of 2,000 kWh/(m ² ·year) (Mediterranean climate). Parabolic-Stirling systems fall within a higher cost range (€0.28/kWh) but offer significant prospects for cost reduction. To make these technologies competitive with conventional fossil fuel, nuclear, or hydroelectric technologies, a 50% to 60% reduction in production costs must be achieved by 2015. Through the Global Market Initiative (GMI) launched in Bonn in 2004, stakeholders and promoters of concentrated solar power technologies recommend installing 5,000 MW _e of capacity by 2015....