High costs are preventing China suppliers of traditional photoelectric technology-based products from expanding into concentrating solar power. CSP involves the use of mirrors to collect sunlight and create heat that generates steam for powering turbines and generators.

Precision- and durability-related problems concerning key CSP components such as mirrors or lenses, and pedestals are already being addressed. Even so, only Anhui Yingtian Energy Co. Ltd has ventured into CSP in China, which the company said, costs several times more than conventional photoelectric technology.

Anhui Yingtian has three years of experience in the field and its products are being used in a solar power station in Ordos, Inner Mongolia.

Shenzhen Sunshine Electronics Co. Ltd said that traditional photovoltaics continues to require substantial investment for further development, hampering expansion into CSP. The company specializes in solar cells, modules and lighting fixtures.