Techno-Economic Analysis and Design Optimization of Concentrated Solar Power Plants for Sustainable Energy Development in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study assesses the feasibility of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) in Bangladesh, evaluating four CSP technologies—Solar Tower (ST), Solar Dish (SD), Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC), and Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR)— across the three highest Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) regions: Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, and Chapai Nawabganj. Key performance indicators, including capacity factor, annual energy generation, Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), and Net Present Value (NPV), were analyzed. Among the technologies, PTC showed the best performance, with a 67.5% capacity factor, 889.26 GWh energy generation, and the lowest LCOE (8.98 ¢/kWh) in Chapai Nawabganj. ST had the highest energy yield (472.09 GWh) in Cox’s Bazar with a competitive LCOE (7.49 ¢/kWh). LFR demonstrated strong economic feasibility, achieving an NPV of $382.24 million and a 51.9% capacity factor. SD, while less efficient, was suitable for decentralized applications. A comparative study was conducted against existing CSP projects, including Noor II and Noor III (Morocco) and Dhursar (India), revealing that the designed plants offer higher capacity factors and lower LCOE relative to global benchmarks. The study utilized System Advisor Model (SAM) for performance optimization, considering solar field design and thermal storage integration. Key challenges include high capital costs and land constraints. Recommendations include hybrid CSP-PV systems and optimized heliostat layouts to enhance feasibility. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and investors, laying the groundwork for future CSP development in Bangladesh’s transition toward sustainable energy.