Concentrating Solar Power Study Released
Economic, Energy, and Environmental Benefits of Concentrating Solar Power in California

 
Click here to view/download the cover letter
Click here to view/download the complete report (1.5Mb)

The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life of Southern California (CoejlSC) and The Interfaith Environmental Council (IEC) are proud to announce the release of a study that provides an assessment of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and its potential economic return, energy supply impact, and environmental benefits for the State of California. The study, entitled “Economic, Energy, and Environmental Benefits of Concentrating Solar Power in California,” will allow legislators, municipalities, utilities, and other related entities to understand the impact of CSP in California and promote CSP development in the state

The study was completed by Black and Veatch under subcontract to the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Emphasis was placed on in-state economic impact in terms of direct and indirect employment created by the manufacture, installation, and operation of CSP plants. The full study was reviewed by the following organizations: the Coalition for Clean Air, UCLA’s Institute of the Environment, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Through thorough and accurate assessments, the report will encourage energy producers to utilize concentrating solar power to generate energy allowing the state of California to rely less on fossil fuels and polluting energy generation techniques. It is clear that CSP makes economic sense and will help the state achieve many of its goals regarding the Renewable Portfolio Standard.

The CSP report is part of an ongoing effort by CoejlSC and the IEC to help implement sound environmental practices in the state and provide Californians with clean and reliable energy through the use of solar power and other renewable energy sources. At the current time, gas fired installations are the most frequent choice for new California power plants. However, we feel that the results of the CSP study indicate that it is in the best interest of California to take advantage of our abundant natural resource in the form of Concentrating Solar Power. The economic and employment benefits, together with delivered energy price stability and environmental advantages, suggest that the CSP solar alternative would be a beneficial addition to California’s energy supply. While early CSP plants are more costly than their traditional gas counterparts, subsequent plants are estimated to become nearly cost competitive on a levelized cost of energy basis.

CoejlSC and the IEC feel that these findings emphasize our moral and ethical obligation to support and promote the use of Concentrating Solar Power in order to create a better future for our children and our grandchildren. It is clear that California needs substantial energy supply and reform, and we encourage legislators, utilities, municipalities, and policy makers to review the attached report and discuss the findings so we can see a financially beneficial renewable energy future for the state.