Solar Thermal Power Coming to a Boil ?

[LMagic007]

Solar Thermal Power Coming to a Boil ?

Considering that the energy in sunlight reaching the earth in just 70 minutes is equivalent to annual global energy consumption, the potential for solar power is virtually unlimited. With concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) capacity expected to double every 16 months over the next five years, worldwide installed CSP capacity will reach 6,400 megawatts in 2012—14 times the current capacity. (See data.)

If the projected annual growth rate of CSP through 2012 is maintained to 2020, global installed CSP capacity would exceed 200,000 megawatts—equivalent to 135 coal-fired power plants. With billions of dollars beginning to flow into the CSP industry and U.S. restrictions on carbon emissions imminent, CSP is primed to reach such capacity.

July 22, 2008: Solar Thermal Power Coming to a Boil

July 22, 2008: Solar Thermal Power Coming to a Boil - DATA

http://ecoworldly.com/2008/04/12/meg...ergy-projects/

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/mar...ess/fi-solar27

World’s Largest Solar Energy Project (5GW!) Planned for Gujarat, India

[LMagic007]

Now this is a world record worth talking about! Although still very much at the planning stage, The Business Standard is reporting that the Clinton Foundation is investigating developing what would be by far the world’s largest solar energy project in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

Project Would Be Significantly Larger Than Fossil Fuel Power Plants
At about five times the capacity of a typical coal or nuclear plant, this project would certainly a big step in the right direction towards making solar power a greater part of India's power mix. Recently prime minister Manmohan Singh announced that solar power would be a key part of his plan to deal with climate change.

World’s Largest Solar Energy Project (5GW!) Planned for Gujarat, India

BANGALORE, India — The world's largest solar power project is reportedly being planned for the state of Gujarat in western India at a cost of about $5 billion. Total power generation capacity is expected to reach 5 gigawatts.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton's foundation, supported by corporate giants like Microsoft and GE Energy, wants to use its $12 billion kitty to finance "green" energy initiatives.

The state government has recruited John Byrne, University of Delaware professor of public policy and Nobel Prize winner, to develop a solar energy roadmap for the state.

EETimes.com - World's biggest solar farm planned in India, report says

http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/10/cli...a-report-says/

http://www.newscientist.com/blog/env...ega-solar.html

On an average, the summers are extremely hot and dry in Gujarat. The day temperature is as high as 46°C while at night it is 34 °C. In the winters, the weather is mild, pleasant and dry. The average temperature during day time is 29 °C and 12 °C during the night. The days are usually sunny and the sky is clear.

http://www.bharatonline.com/gujarat/...s/weather.html

[August]

Sun may soon shine on solar-powered revolution

Sun may soon shine on solar-powered revolution - Oil, coal and nuclear can't compete with big star in sky.

MIT discovery unleashes solar revolution - 8/22/2008 1:00:00 AM - Consulting-Specifying Engineer

In a leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn't shine.