Crescent Dunes Solar Energy
Plant |
Crescent Dunes Solar Energy |
Location |
Tonopah, NV USA |
Owner(s) |
SolarReserve |
Capacity (MW) |
110 MW |
Construction Start Date |
2011 |
Construction End Date |
2014 |
Generation Start Year |
2015 |
Construction Cost ($) |
$983 mil |
Specific Cost ($/kW) |
9384 |
LCOE ($/kWh) |
0.18 |
Heliostat Aperture Area (m²) |
115.7 |
Heliostat Model |
Rocketdyne |
Mirror Manufacturer |
Flabeg Germany |
Heliostat Dimension |
10.8m x 10.8m |
Heliostat Facets (C x R) |
7x5 |
Solar Field Area (m²) |
1197148 |
Tower Height (m) |
195 |
Receiver Fluid |
Molten Salt |
Receiever Manufacturer |
Rocketdyne (SolarReserve) USA |
Receiver Model |
External - Cylindrical |
Number of Heliostats |
10347 |
Tower Position (Lat/Long) |
38.239, -117.363 |
General Plant Data
· Location: Tonopah, NV USA
· Owner(s): SolarReserve
· Capacity (MW): 110 MW
Plant Timeline
· Construction Start Date: 2011
· Construction End Date: 2014
· Generation Start Year: 2015
Plant Costs
· Construction Cost ($): $983 mil
· Specific Cost ($/kW): 9384
· LCOE ($/kWh): 0.18
Heliostat Design
· Heliostat Aperture Area (m²): 115.7
· Heliostat Model: Rocketdyne
· Mirror Manufacturer: Flabeg Germany
· Heliostat Dimension: 10.8m x 10.8m
· Heliostat Facets (C x R): 7x5
· Solar Field Area (m²): 1197148
Tower/Receiver
· Tower Height (m): 195
· Receiver Fluid: Molten Salt
· Receiever Manufacturer: Rocketdyne (SolarReserve) USA
· Receiver Model: External - Cylindrical
Plant Layout
· Number of Heliostats: 10347
· Tower Position (Lat/Long): 38.239, -117.363
Lessons Learned
Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project uses an advanced molten
salt energy storage at full scale and the excess thermal energy stored can be
used to provide power for up to 10 hours. With the storage, there is no need
for fossil fuels or natural gas as backup.
Source: Kraemer, Susan. “Crescent Dunes 24-Hour Solar Tower Is Online.”
CleanTechnica, 23 Feb. 2016,
cleantechnica.com/2016/02/22/crescent-dunes-24-hour-solar-tower-online/.
Plant Generation
