VentureBeat - Latest Comments in Let there be light: eSolar switches on first U.S. solar thermal tower

Re: Let there be light: eSolar switches on first U.S. solar thermal tower

Matt McCrory — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:27:10 -0000

He's saying that if you were to install 25 square miles of their solar thermal plants, enough electricity to power the entire state could be generated. You are right that this plant is nowhere close to 25 square miles :)

Re: Let there be light: eSolar switches on first U.S. solar thermal tower

craigermp — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:37:18 -0000

This eSolar project is a beautiful example of Wholesale Distributed Generation (WDG), which is the renewables market segment that avoids the decades-long transmission build-outs because the projects are located close to loads. In addition to being able to get WDG energy online fast, WDG energy is worth at least 35% more than large transmission-interconnected energy. The AB1106 Feed-In Tariff (FIT), which is well on its way to becoming law in California this year, will unleash the WDG market segment. The FIT Coalition is leading the charge on WDG and FITs in America, and its website provides an excellent overview along with detailed analyses: www.fitcoalition.com

Re: Let there be light: eSolar switches on first U.S. solar thermal tower

macrumpton — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:14:58 -0000

One big advantage of this type of installation over a PV one is that the turbine can be powered by any appropriate source of heat, so when the sun is not shining (or shining less brightly) the steam can be generated by natural gas or some other fuel source.

Re: Let there be light: eSolar switches on first U.S. solar thermal tower

Ben Weiss — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:54:20 -0000

25 Square Miles??? Really? Looks closer to around 1 square mile to me. Or is this just 1 of 25 such installations?

Re: Let there be light: eSolar switches on first U.S. solar thermal tower

AaronW — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:09:41 -0000

eSolar does not use molten salt as far as I am aware. I Could be wrong but I searched and searched for indication that they do but couldn't find it. Molten salt is the real game changer for solar thermal because it allows for nighttime production. If they are not using molten salt then none of their great strategies in technology or land procurement will amount to much. They would be a force to be reckoned with but as far as I know they don't. Until they do they will only be half way there.

Re: Let there be light: eSolar switches on first U.S. solar thermal tower

4DThinker — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:27:11 -0000

I hope that area never suffers hail storms.

Re: Let there be light: eSolar switches on first U.S. solar thermal tower

SunDowner — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:18:46 -0000

See United States Patent #4,387,574 from 1983. Great to see this old technology being rejuvinated for the 21st century! The DOE 10 MW Solar 2 tower that was shut down in 1999 could store solar power as molten salt.

Re: Let there be light: eSolar switches on first U.S. solar thermal tower

rkorba — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:03:50 -0000

Camille -- isn't the really big story that it's the only solar form that can *store* for off-peak and clouds 9molten salt and the like?), or am i wrong?