MNRE revises benchmark cost of CST Technologies

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has announced that it has proposed an upward revision of the benchmark cost of Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) Technologies Programme. The initiative is taken with the aim to promote energy efficiency. 

The benchmark cost will be related to the performance efficiency in design and manufacturing of systems so that smaller systems could deliver more energy in a cost effective manner. The existing benchmark costs of the CST systems were developed under “off-grid & decentralised solar application” scheme of the National Solar Mission in 2010. The Ministry has also invited public suggestions on the same by the 15 Feb, 2016. 

The CST systems include Non-Imaging compound (NIC) parabolic reflectors, Single Axis Automatic Tracked (Scheffler, PTC, LFR etc.), and Dual Axis Automatic Tracked (Paraboloid Dishes, Central Tower etc.). The proposed revision in the Benchmark cost on the basis of instantaneous heat output/ heat delivery from CST systems will also accommodate increase in the cost of various components of CST systems