CST uses reflective material to concentrate the sun's rays to power steam turbines or engines. When combined with thermal storage CST can generate electricity on demand by storing heat in a transfer fluid like water, oil or molten salt and enabling a plant to produce power under cloud cover and after the sun has set, according to the report.

It can also be integrated with other kinds of backup power. "We are seeing hybrid systems deployed which involve adding CST technology to the natural gas