Solar Thermal Power Plants: Progress and Prospects in Iran

One of the most promising paths towards the sustainable development is utilizing solar energy, especially in oil-dependent economy nations like Iran. Electricity production in Iran is mainly dominated by its fossil fuel resources. High solar insolation and available desert lands in Iran are two main factors to encourage the full development of solar power plants for thermal and electrical energy productions. Herein, the solar thermal power plants have the priorities of consistent power output and the ability to incorporate storage. In the present study, a brief description and working principles of the solar thermal power plants are given. Besides, the paper points out the solar energy potential, the current state of electricity generation and the future of solar thermal power projects in the country. Special attention is drawn to the Iranian government initiatives and support for the use of solar energy. In the end, the future prospects of solar projects development with the worldwide competitive technologies by considering the existing obstacles that should be removed by the Iranian governments and energy planners in the future of energy production are presented.