In order to let global warming not exceed an additional 2 °C, which is the aim required by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a CO2-emissions reduction of globally more than 60 percent by 2050 compared to the level of 1990 is mandatory. Within the current discussion, growing importance is beeing attached to solar thermal power plants as a technology to reach this aim. They bundle solar radiation using concentrating mirrors – therefore this technology is also called Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). CSP technology has been developed to a large extent in Germany, yet direct implementation does not make much sense in Germany due to insufficient direct radiation.

Exporting CSP-technologies to the "sunbelt" regions offers great opportunities for German plant builders. These include Schott Solar, MAN Ferrostaal Group (NRW) and their business segment "Solar Energy", Flagsol (NRW), Solar Power Group, Solar Millenium and Fichtner Solar, who are all involved in CSP. Schott Solar (receiver) and Flagsol (mirrors) are world market leaders. E.ON, RWE and EnBW are increasingly interested in using the technology and leading insurance companies like the "Münchner Rück" consider including CSP as a new business segment.

Against this background, the current study examines the economic opportunities of a worldwide dissemination of CSP-technologies for German companies. It seeks to answer the following relevant questions:

• Which technology paths does the CSP option include and what is the current state of their development, market introduction and commercialisation?
• Which countries are key markets and/or pioneers in development, demonstration and commercialisation of CSP-technologies?
• In which way are German companies involved in the value-added chain of CSP-technologies so far?
• How are German companies positioned on the market in comparison to leading international companies?
• How big is the potential apportioned to CSP-technologies in energy scenarios?
• Which measurable economical effects for German companies (additional value creation and new jobs for instance) result from realising the potentials if German companies succeed in taking advantage of their market position?