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One point about concentrated solar power is if it's used to collect heat for a turbine (for example, to boil water), then you're running a heat engine and have to have a cooling facility.

As may have been mentioned here in the past, there is concern about whether Arizona may effectively ship a meaningful fraction of its precious water rights to California in the form of electricity by this method.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2010/01/17/20100117water-solar0117.html

I think it's pretty clear that PV and batteries are going to be the way to go ultimately. Timeline is uncertain...

by asdf on Wed Aug 31st, 2011 at 07:33:35 PM EST
Yes, that's the advantage of the Stirling cycle versions in the desert setting ~ its closed cycle and air cooled in the shade behind the mirror array. OTOH its not a stored heat system.

I've been accused of being a Marxist, yet while Harpo's my favourite, it's Groucho I'm always quoting. Odd, that.
by BruceMcF (agila61 at netscape dot net) on Wed Aug 31st, 2011 at 11:12:11 PM EST
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