In light of some of the recent discussions on these forums regarding solar power, I thought
this article was interesting.
Quote:
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Google has chipped in a US$168 million investment in what will be the world's largest solar power tower plant. To be located on 3,600 acres of land in the Mojave Desert in southeastern California, the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS) will boast 173,000 heliostats that will concentrate the sun's rays onto a solar tower standing approximately 450 feet (137 m) tall. The plant commenced construction in October 2010 and is expected to generate 392 MW of solar energy following its projected completion in 2013.
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392 MW is approaching what a single nuclear reactor outputs. Granted the production is limited by sunlight availability, but yearly peak demand (in places that get hot) is on the hottest days, so having the ability to cater for this peak from solar power makes sense.