Iran

• Concentrating Solar Power: Global Outlook 09-

  This 2009 report looks into the global outlook of concentrating solar power (CSP). The report first looks into the different CSP technologies and makes a comparison based on the advantages and disadvantages. The report also provides an overview of the CSP development by region. For certain countries per region a more detailed assessment is provided. In particular, the potential of the Mediterranean and the MENA region is being assessed.

• Concentrating Solar Power for Seawater Desalination (2007)-

  This extensive study from 2007 assesses in a detailed way the potential of concentrated solar power (CSP) systems for large scale seawater desalination. The geographical scope of the report focuses on the urban centres in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

  The objective of the study is to demonstrate that these large scale CSP processes can be used to provide water supply in a balanced, affordable and secure way and as such helping avoiding a threatening fresh water deficit.

• An Overview of CSP in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East (2008)-

  This document from 2008 gives a comprehensive overview of CSP development in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The paper first looks into the key drivers and key inhibitors that impact the growth of CSP. Particular attention is given to the cost factor of CSP such as initial investment costs and the operating & maintenance costs.

• Assessment of the World Bank/GEF Strategy for the Market Development of Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (2006)-

  This report from 2006 gives a detailed assessment on the approach of GEF towards concentrating solar power development. In particular it looks into the GEF's Operational Programme 7 (OP 7) which deals with the development of technologies with low greenhouse gas emissions that are not yet commercial, but which show promise of becoming so in the future.

• Solar Thermal Energy in Iran (2005)-

  This document from 2005 looks into the potential of solar thermal development for Iran. Although Iran has a very high level of incoming global radiation, the use of solar energy in general is very low. One of the key-obstacles for solar thermal is the low level of energy prices. This can be explained due to the significant subsidies for fossil fuels which blocks private investments in energy saving activities.