I’ll note that this is a very atypical solar facility:

  • It burns significant amounts of methane gas for morning pre-heating
  • It’s far less cost-effective than modern photovoltaics
  • Funding was from a mix of public money and a venture firm advised by RFK Jr.

I don’t expect to see much more solar thermal built to replace it; photovoltaic has gotten too good and too cheap.

Edit: sorry about the source; only coverage so far

  • ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net
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    2 days ago

    As far as I know, it needed to burn gas to get the water up to operating temperature each morning, then the sun light would take over to continue turning the water to steam.