Occupational exposures to solar radiation in concentrated solar power systems: A general framework in central receiver systems

Abstract

Due to the growing motivation of countries to use renewable energy, instead of fossil fuels, for the production of electricity, the number of solar power plants had an increase in recent times. The sun as a renewable source is used by the Concentrated Solar Power systems (CSP) to achieve this goal. This process results in a considerable amount of concentrated solar radiation (visible light, infrared and ultraviolet radiation) inside and in the neighborhood of the installations. Some previous studies have addressed the possible risks for health of workers in environments where they perform activities in outdoors exposed to solar radiation. The overall purpose of this paper is to provide information about the environmental conditions in facilities using CSP technology, the effects of solar radiation in humans and the methods for the risk assessment in this type of facilities. Several standards including elements applicable to the field of occupational health in the central receiver area of solar power plants are also referred.