Summary
Large scale solar energy plants are not new, but can be useful if fossil fuels maintain high prices. They can help put a cap on high energy costs, but since they are large-scale projects they take years to install. The impact of these on photovoltaics should be minimal.
Analysis
The project described in this article is a follow-on to the Solar One project in California's Mojave Desert constructed in the 1970s, and operated from 1981-1986. This plant was later upgraded and named Solar Two.
The point of such large operations is to generate steam and drive the same kind of turbine that is used in fossil fuel plants, a well-proven means of generating power. This is only feasible in large-scale operations, and this 50MW plant is indeed large compared to a typical photovoltaic array, which is typically built to supply a couple of kilowatts of power.
It is interesting that the article focuses on the international nature of the project. The contractor is procuring technology from an Israeli firm, so it is only natural that the initial tests would be carried out in the developer's facility in Israel. The world economy is causing all large projects to have a high international element. Enough said!
As for the impact of this generator, it will provide a minor portion of California's overall power, and is more a continuing feasibility study than an important provider of power. Power rates will still track fossil fuel prices. Should fossil fuel prices continue to rise, though, or even if they stay at today's rates for a protracted period, many similar plants may be constructed, and within a decade this kind of plant may help stop spiralling oil prices.
In the mean time, the impact that this kind of facility will have on photovoltaics will be immeasurably small, since the impact this plant will have on California's power rates will be immeasurably small.
Although Objective Analysis has not yet published any reports on photovoltaics, we encourage GLG members to scan our site periodically for upcoming reports on this important new technology. Please visit www.Objective-Analysis.com.
