Solar Towers - awesome renewable energy idea

K3NS31

Expert Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2009
Messages
3,940
Cool idea, bit of a misnomer though. The name implies solar panels / reflectors, whereas this is more of an air-current / heat exchange / heat pump type of system.
Interested to see how close they get to their theoretical energy output. Happy to see the Americans foot the bill for this to see if it's really viable, before we start paying for ones in the Karoo or wherever.
 

K3NS31

Expert Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2009
Messages
3,940
BTW, some good links after that article to other "solar tower" projects. Interesting...

Edit: Just read a few of those, damn, none of these huge solar projects produce much energy. I see we'll still be needing nuclear for a looong time.
 
Last edited:

axelblue

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2011
Messages
120
Mmm, 800m high, 130 m wide, 750M usd to build, for 200MW, wonder how financially viable that is.
 

BCO

Honorary Master
Joined
Dec 17, 2004
Messages
13,229
Mmm, 800m high, 130 m wide, 750M usd to build, for 200MW, wonder how financially viable that is.

The article states that there's a projected amortization period of 11 years and the plant has an 80 year designed lifespan. So it would seem very financially viable.
 
Top