Abstract: It has important significance to grasp the generating mode and performance of solar thermal electric power generation system for development of the system. There are three generation modes of solar thermal electric power generation system: trough system, tower system and dish system, and their classification, working principle, main performance parameters, key techniques and development trends were introduced respectively. At the present time, the trough system and tower system have been commercialized in large scale, and the dish system is in demonstration stage yet. The trough system will can compete with conventional thermal power generation in generation cost. The dish system has highest net generation efficiency in the three types. The tower system has higher construction cost for unit capacity and which is difficult to be reduced.

Key words: solar energy, thermal electric power generation, efficiency, heat collector