Comparative Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar PV and CSP Technologies With and Without Thermal and Battery Storage in Saudi Arabian Cities

This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic evaluation of utility-scale solar power systems specifically solar tower (ST), linear Fresnel reflector (LFR), and photovoltaic (PV) technologies across ten cities in Saudi Arabia, assessed both with and without energy storage. Each system was designed to deliver a continuous power output of 150 megawatts electric (MWe), and its performance was analyzed in terms of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and net present value (NPV) using the System Advisor Model (SAM). Results indicate that PV systems without storage achieve the lowest LCOE (2.74–3.29 USD¢/kWh) and are the only configuration with a positive NPV, making them the most economically viable option. ST systems exhibit LCOE values of 12.04–16.84 USD¢/kWh without storage and 11.13–17.68 USD¢/kWh with nine hours of thermal energy storage (TES), while LFR systems range from 13.51–18.31 USD¢/kWh without TES and 11.66–15.55 USD¢/kWh with TES. Although incorporating storage TES for concentrated solar power (CSP) and batteries for PV significantly enhances energy output, it also increases capital investment, resulting in negative NPVs for all but the stand-alone PV configuration. Overall, the findings underscore the superior cost-effectiveness of conventional PV systems under current economic and climatic conditions in Saudi Arabia and highlight the importance of further cost reductions in storage and CSP technologies to enhance their future competitiveness.