First Solar buys 117 MW project from solar startup Ausra

[Jason M. Hendler]

First Solar buys 117 MW project from solar startup Ausra:

Link

Given that water is now a recognized strategic commodity, it makes sense that thin film is used for energy creation, and concentrated solar thermal steam generation is used only when steam is essential to the given process, as steam is used in countless agricultural and industrial applications.

[Texas]

Originally Posted by Jason M. Hendler

First Solar buys 117 MW project from solar startup Ausra:

Link

Given that water is now a recognized strategic commodity, it makes sense that thin film is used for energy creation, and concentrated solar thermal steam generation is used only when steam is essential to the given process, as steam is used in countless agricultural and industrial applications.

Yes, PV solar has advanced so quickly with roll-to-roll manufacturing that it's going to make many other renewable technologies obsolete. Just wait until Nanosolar ramps.

No moving parts, no water, no expensive hot fluid handling systems, no steam turbines, can be put on any building and make absolutely no sound. It's a combination of features that are going to be very hard to beat.

[pdt]

Originally Posted by Jason M. Hendler

Given that water is now a recognized strategic commodity, it makes sense that thin film is used for energy creation

No technology creates energy. Technologies exist to convert energy into other forms, useful for particular purposes, at a loss. I know some will think I'm just being annoyingly nit-picky, but language is important; it can help us face reality or hide from it. It's better to face it.

For example, the loss part is important. Consider solar energy conversion technologies. Solar-thermal hot water and steam production systems have much lower conversion losses than photovoltaic systems. Also, while water use is a concern and shouldn't be ignored, solar-thermal electric systems seem to have an efficiency advantage (I've seen numbers in the mid-twenties) over PV and relatively inexpensive energy-storage potential.

[Jason M. Hendler]

Originally Posted by pdt

No technology creates energy. Technologies exist to convert energy into other forms, useful for particular purposes, at a loss. I know some will think I'm just being annoyingly nit-picky, but language is important; it can help us face reality or hide from it. It's better to face it.

For example, the loss part is important. Consider solar energy conversion technologies. Solar-thermal hot water and steam production systems have much lower conversion losses than photovoltaic systems. Also, while water use is a concern and shouldn't be ignored, solar-thermal electric systems seem to have an efficiency advantage (I've seen numbers in the mid-twenties) over PV and relatively inexpensive energy-storage potential.

You are correct. I should have said energy collection / conversion.

[OPEC SUCKS]

I thought the steam generation systems were closed. So, after an initial consumptive use of water, or fluid, then what ? Where is the water loss ?

If there is water consumption, then why wasn't this trumpeted by these same solar pundits and experts a year ago when they were jizzing all over themselves announcing project after project that used water and even ice in the desert region solar power production ?

[Jason M. Hendler]

Originally Posted by OPEC SUCKS

I thought the steam generation systems were closed. So, after an initial consumptive use of water, or fluid, then what ? Where is the water loss ?

If there is water consumption, then why wasn't this trumpeted by these same solar pundits and experts a year ago when they were jizzing all over themselves announcing project after project that used water and even ice in the desert region solar power production ?

Environmentalists have a long history of hiding the downside of their policies. Still, water resources are still manageable, so it's not a show stopper.