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Thermal power generation refers to the use of large arrays of parabolic or dish-shaped mirrors to collect solar heat, which is then used to generate steam through heat exchange devices; combined with the technology of conventional steam turbine generators, this process enables electricity production. According to the 13th Five-Year Plan for Solar Energy Development, during this period the installed capacity of solar power generation was to reach over 110 million kilowatts. Among them, the installed capacity for power generation using solar thermal energy reached 5 million kilowatts. Following the **NDRC’s announcement establishing a benchmark grid-connected price of 1.15 yuan per kilowatt-hour for concentrated solar power generation,** the **NEA listed 20 demonstration projects for concentrated solar power generation, with a total installed capacity of 1.349 million kilowatts.** Industry experts say that the concentrated solar power generation sector became a highlight in the field of solar energy utilization during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. The Plan states that during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the cost of concentrated solar power generation will be below 0.8 yuan per kilowatt-hour, and the efficiency of such power generation will see a significant increase, enabling the development of integrated capabilities across the entire industry chain. Another important reason why the prospects for concentrated solar power generation are promising is energy storage, which involves storing the excess heat generated during the day and using that stored heat to generate electricity at night, thereby ensuring continuous power production. “Previously, the **Energy Administration’s initial plan for the 13th Five-Year Plan period set the target for solar thermal power generation at 10 million kilowatts. This means that direct investment in concentrated solar power generation will reach 500 billion yuan over the next five years, with indirect investment exceeding 1 trillion yuan. However, given the current state of industry development, it was difficult to achieve the grid connection target by 2020; later, this target was revised to 5 million kilowatts. In fact, achieving 5 million kilowatts of propulsion capacity remains a significant challenge. ”Professor Ma Chongfang from the School of Energy and Environment Engineering at Beijing University of Technology told a reporter from China Securities Journal. Despite the significant challenges involved, in the year when the photovoltaic industry was launched, many companies began construction of photovoltaic power plants one after another. Taking Shouhang Energy Saving as an example, the company funded the construction of China’s first 10-megawatt molten salt tower solar thermal power plant capable of generating electricity 24/7, and this plant was successfully connected to the grid for power generation on December 26. He Xin, an analyst at Huatai Securities, noted that if full capacity is achieved for power generation, the annual electricity output of this project is expected to reach around 85 million kWh. Based on the announced benchmark electricity price of 1.15 yuan per kilowatt-hour, annual electricity revenue can reach approximately 100 million yuan. In addition to tower-type power plants, the 50-megawatt trough-type CSP plant project developed by CSPC has recently begun construction in Yumen, Gansu. In addition, the first commercial molten salt Fresnel-type solar thermal power plant in the world – the first phase of the Lanzhou Dacheng Dunhuang Molten Salt Linear Fresnel 50-megawatt Solar Thermal Power Generation Demonstration Project – began construction in Dunhuang, Gansu. As solar thermal power plants are being commissioned in large numbers, companies in the upstream and downstream sectors are actively participating. Xue Lingyun, chairman of Tianjin Baijirui New Energy Co., Ltd., said, “Compared with traditional parabolic trough solar power generation systems, new parabolic trough systems that utilize energy storage technology can reduce the overall investment in the system by 30%.” By improving the formulation of the molten salt, insulation costs have been significantly reduced and the storage capacity of the molten salt has increased; the company is optimistic about the prospects for photothermal technology. ”