My understanding is that these are more expensive and less efficient than PVs but they can store the energy as heat. Still, not a surprise they havent taken off.
this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2026
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All is well and good until a couple hobbitses destroy your electric grid
That's fantastic
Driving past Ivanpah is a challenge. That shit is as bright as the sun and right in your field of vision. I think I have permanent vision damage from it
i saw the one that was/is in vegas. it was pretty neat looking
You probably saw Ivanpah (first two pics). It's just south of Vegas
Surely those must have burnt a bird or two, better build more Orphan Tear Reactors instead.
According to the wikipedia page, that was an issue in the beginning, but they've fixed it so that it doesn't happen any more. Now the main concern is that it still burns fossil fuels to reach operating temps in the morning.
Now the main concern is that it still burns fossil fuels to reach operating temps in the morning
whaaat
Is that really necessary or is it just a cheap way to do it?
Probably depends on the overnight temps, which can be quite low in the desert especially on short winter days.
I was under the impression that improvements and pricing of photovoltaics have made the heat collector systems less cost effective. Plus we still aren’t good enough at handling molten salt in long term systems.
Many many birds, those things are so bright in person
I saw a video about the Ivanpah facility a few days ago. Seems like these are pretty much obsolete, neglected and in disrepair. But it's an interesting close up look at the place nonetheless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3zTNEpjl_w