Concentrated solar power plants (CSPs) are gaining increasing interest, mostly as parabolic trough collectors (PTC) or solar tower collectors (STC). Notwithstanding CSP benefits, the daily and monthly variation of the solar irradiation flux is a main drawback. Despite the approximate match between hours of the day where solar radiation and energy demand peak, CSPs experience short term variations on cloudy days and cannot provide e. Concentrated solar power plants (CSPs) are gaining increasing interest, mostly as parabolic trough collectors (PTC) or solar tower collectors (STC). Notwithstanding CSP benefits, the daily and monthly variation of the solar irradiation flux is a main drawback. Despite the approximate match between hours of the day where solar radiation and energy demand peak, CSPs experience short term variations on cloudy days and cannot provide energy during night hours unless incorporating thermal energy storage (TES) and/or backup systems (BS) to operate continuously. To determine the optimum design and operation of the CSP throughout the year, whilst defining the required TES and/or BS, an accurate estimation of the daily solar irradiation is needed. Local solar irradiation data are mostly only available as monthly averages, and a predictive conversion into hourly data and direct irradiation is needed to provide a more accurate input into the CSP design. The paper (i) briefly reviews CSP technologies and STC advantages; (ii) presents a methodology to predict hourly beam (direct) irradiation from available monthly averages, based upon combined previous literature findings and available meteorological data; (iii) illustrates predictions for different selected STC locations; and finally (iv) describes the use of the predictions in simulating the required plant configuration of an optimum STC.The. Concentrated solar power plantsDesign methodologySolar towersHourly beam irradiationAbbreviationsBS Backup systemCRS Central receiver systemCSP Concentrated solar power plantCLFR Compact linear Fresnel collectorDNI Direct normal irradianceDSG Direct steam generationHCE Heat collector elementHFC Heliostat field collectorHTF Heat transfer fluidISCC Integrated solar combined cycleLFR Linear Fresnel reflectorNREL National Renewable Energy LaboratoryPDC Parabolic dish collectorPTC Parabolic trough collectorTES Thermal energy storageS&L Sargent and LundySNL Sandia National LaboratoriesSTC Solar tower collectorSymbolsa Parameter defined by Eq. (17)b Parameter defined by Eq. (18)dr The inverse relative distance Earth–SunF Cumulative distribution function or fraction of days in which the daily clearness index in less than a certain specific value;GSC the solar constant=1367 W/m², as energy of the sun per unit time received on a unit area of the surface perpendicular to the propagation direction of the radiation, at mean earth-sun distance, outside of the atmosphereH0 the extra-terrestrial radiation (MJ/m² day)Ho,av The monthly average of H0H The daily total radiatio. 1.1. Solar irradiance as worldwide energy sourceMore energy from the sunlight strikes the earth in 1 h than all of the energy consumed by humans in an entire year. In fact, solar energy dwarfs all other renewable and fossil-based energy resources combined.We need energy – electrical or thermal – but in most cases where and when it is not available. Low cost, fossil-based electricity has always served as a significant cost competitor for electrical power generation. To provide a durable and widespread primary energy source, solar energy must be captured, stored and used in a cost-effective fashion.Solar energy is of unsteady nature, both within the day (day–night, clouds) and within the year (winter–summer). The capture and storage of solar energy is critical if a significant portion of the total energy demand needs to be provided by solar energy.Fig. 1 illustrates the world solar energy map. Most of the countries, except those above latitude 45°N or below latitude 45°S, are subject to an annual average irradiation flux in excess of 1.6 MW h/m², with peaks of solar energy recorded in some “hot” spots of the Globe, e.g., the Mojave Desert (USA), the Sahara and Kalahari Deserts (Africa), the Middle East, the Chilean Atacama Desert and North-western Australia.1.2. Concentrated solar power plants2.1. GeneralitiesConcentrated solar power (CSP) is an electricity generation technology that uses heat provided by solar irradiation concentrated on a small area. Using mirrors, sunlight is reflected to a receiver where heat is collected by a thermal energy carrier (primary circuit), and subsequently used directly (in the case of water/steam) or via a secondary circuit to power a turbine and generate electricity. CSP is particularly promising in regions with high DNI. According to the available technology roadmap, CSP can be a competitive source of bulk power in peak and intermediate loads in the sunniest regions by 2020, and of base load power by 2025 to 2030.At present, there are four available CSP technologies (Fig. 2): parabolic trough collector (PTC), solar power tower (SPT), linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) and parabolic dish systems (PDS). Additionally, a recent technology called concentrated solar thermo-electrics is described. These CSP technologies are currently in medium to large-scale operation and mostly located in Spain and in the USA as shown in Fig. 3. Although PTC technology is the most mature CSP design, solar tower technology occupies the second place and is of increasing importance as a result of its advantages, as discussed further.Fig. 2. Currently available CSP Technologies:(a) STP; (b)PTC; (c) LFR; (d) PDC.