33. Concentrating Solar At Nevada Solar One near Las Vegas, oil piped down long rows of reflectors soaks up focused sunlight, becoming hot enough to make steam and run a 64-megawatt power plant. Utilities often favor such systems, also called solar thermal, over costlier PV.
Note that in the figures on this slide solar radiation is limited in the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast summer, and more so, in the winter. This points to the fact that an alternative energy future will require that each region and even municipality carefully consider energy options that will work for their particular needs and situation.
Note that in the figures on this slide solar radiation is limited in the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast summer, and more so, in the winter. This points to the fact that an alternative energy future will require that each region and even municipality carefully consider energy options that will work for their particular needs and situation.