[Jack of all Trades]

37' diameter dish is almost exactly 100 m^2 in area. At roughly 1KW peak solar power/m^2, the conversion efficiency is about 25%. Pretty good for solar. Calling this a 500MW generator is a little dishonest though IMHO. Power is what matters. 500MW at what rate, and for how long? I could strap a drill motor to a bicycle and call myself a 500MW generator. It wouold probably take me a lifetime to do it though.

I think they could market this better as peak shaving power for industry. Maybe even get some corporate investment, rather than saddling residential consumers with the cost. How much solar power is available during the residintial use peak of say 6:00pm to 11:00 pm? Ans. not much.

Stirling is interesting because it's efficient and versatile. Any source of heat can be used: solar, fossil fuel, wood, etc. I think they're used in submarines in some capacity. IIRC there are some technical challenges with durability. Something aout maintaining a seal across the working piston with a large delta T across it maybe,

My knowledge of thermo is a little rough, but I would bet that massing a large number of reflectors of a collector, and then utilizing steam power would be more efficient.

Perhaps $60+/bbl oil will bring a new surge in American innovation.

[Arkie2]

I believe the article specifically mentioned that the stirling is more efficient than steam and the article also mentioned better efficiency than solar arrays which converted heat to steam for power production.

[hotshu]

"Perhaps $60+/bbl oil will bring a new surge in American innovation."

Ding, ding, ding!!! We have a winner!!!

This has always been and will always be the true answer. All forms of "alternative" energy sources are options once they become economically viable on the open market.

This is true of course unless and until the leftists take over governmental control and declare that equal access to "cheap" energy is a Constitutional right.

[Calvin Locke]

My knowledge of thermo is a little rough, ...and then utilizing steam power would be more efficient.

From the cobwebs of my memory, a ~10 foot diameter solar "furnace" can only boil a cup of water every hour.

Throw in clouds, volcanic ash, angle of the Sun through the atmosphere, evenings,...

Any way, perhaps something other than water powering a turbine?

[AmericanVictory]

One would hope so. We could use some innovation in energy, particularly in the use of hydrocarbon fuel itself and its production. Wouldn't be a bad trend in nuclear either. We've had relatively decent innovation in wind power, largely by private entrepreneurs in small companies, though some big boys jumped in once the samll guys took the risk, as normally happens.