Mirrors, not panels, hold key to solar energy future, group says

Mirrors, not panels, hold key to solar energy future, group says That leaves the door open for another common objection - that wind and solar work only when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining - to start gaining momentum. Worldwide, CSP plants produce more than 1 gigawatt (GW) of energy, and projects in the works will soon raise that to 15 gigawatts. That stored thermal energy can be tapped later to generate power after the sun sets for the night. Energy production from CSP has grown considerably since the early days in the mid-80s. Instead of photovoltaic solar panels, CSP uses mirrors to focus concentrated beams of sunlight onto an area where the heat converts a liquid to steam, which can then be used to drive an electricity-generating turbine. Which is why the time seemed right for several CSP companies to come together and form a new industry group to push for continued growth. "We believe CSP, with the capability to dispatch electricity when it is required, is critical in meeting the energy challenges facing the United States and the world," said Wilkins upon the CSPA's launch. The CSPA is independent of another newly formed CSP group Mirrors, not panels, hold key to solar energy future, group says Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 10/03/2012