Factory real shot of solar power generation

Is solar energy a future energy resource?

The utilization of renewable energy as a future energy resource is drawing significant attention worldwide. The contribution of solar energy (including concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar photovoltaic (PV) power) to global electricity production, as one form of renewable energy sources, is generally still low, at 3.6%.

How does a solar power plant work?

The boilers then use the sun’s heat to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. Photographer Henry Do from Las Vegas, Nevada, who took this shot, thinks that the concept behind the plant is ingenious. “I love how massive the system is and the pattern of the mirrors seen from above and how they track the sun.”

What makes solar energy revolutionary?

What makes solar energy revolutionary is the rate of growth which brought it to this just-beyond-the-marginal state.

Could solar power power 140,000 homes a year?

Spread out over 14 square kilometres, the facility can generate enough energy to power 140,000 homes every year. Due to the scale of plants like Ivanpah, solar energy is becoming cheaper and could play a role in helping renewables overtake fossil fuels as the world’s preferred sources of electricity.

Is concentrated solar power making a comeback?

Concentrated solar power is an old technology making a comeback. Here's how it works The 100MW Cerro Dominador CSP plant in the Atacama Desert, Chile. (Getty Images: John Moore)

Is concentrating solar power the future of electricity generation?

(Getty Images: John Moore) There was a time, not long ago, when the future of electricity generation looked something like the opening scene of Blade Runner 2049, with endless arrays of mirrors in concentric circles. Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses mirrors to focus heat from the Sun to drive a steam turbine and generate electricity.