[boris]

"The 200 megawatt solar tower, which will cost A$ 1 billion ($563 million) to build, will be of a similar width to a football field and will stand in the center of a massive glass roof spanning seven kilometers in diameter."

Five hundred and sixty three million American dollars to build a plant that produces only 20% of the power that a 'standard' fossil or nuclear plant develops....

What a fine investment.

What an innovative use of real estate.

--Boris

[Prodigal Son]

LOL! You've hit on an interesting point. They'll probably make more from billing it as a tourist attraction... You sell each tourist that comes to see it a $2 can of coke and postcard and you'll recoup your investment in about 10-15 yrs I would reckon.

[dogbyte12]

Five hundred and sixty three million American dollars to build a plant that produces only 20% of the power that a 'standard' fossil or nuclear plant develops....

They basically need $2800 per customer to pay off the cost of building it. Figure $80 a month from the customer. In five years, that will be $960 million to pay off for the cost of building it, plus upkeep, staffing, etc... Probably still not broken even that point, but getting close to it.

This is a great answer for rural customers. Clean energy. Low maintenance... Very simple parts, so repairs are a snap. Just because it is green, doesn't make it bad.