[DBrow]

There was a prototype “solar tower” at Sandia Labs that is not used any more.

There was a commercial plant near Bagdad, CA (or maybe Daggett), that was the same technology. It was not commercially viable and was mothballed.

And now a bigger one is being made!

One cool thing about the Solar One project near Bagdad was the pattern of light in the sky. As you drove down the road, this ethereal floating pattern of light would appear on the horizon. Very mysterious if you didn’t know it was a solar mirror farm.

I wonder what would happen to a bird or insect if it flew into the beam?

[Black Agnes]

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304703804579379230641329484

“The $2.2 Billion Bird-Scorching Solar Project”

[Old Retired Army Guy]

There are environmentalists, much to their chagrin who admit that this thing is a danger to the habitat. Namely, it kills birds.

[Rio]

I toured such a facility near Barstow back about 1988 or so. Lots of mirrors.

[Izzy Dunne]

I wonder what would happen to a bird or insect if it flew into the beam?

Oh come on now - you can figure that out.