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China will begin constructing Asia's first 1.5-megawatt solar thermal power station in suburban Beijing next month.
Some such plants are operating in the US, Spain, and Australia, at least. I would think that the desert areas of Baluchistan would be ideal for such plants. They need some water for the high temperature steam generation, and then some for cooling the "used" water back down to a lower temperature for thermal efficiency of the turbines. But, I think, most existing plants have been built in desert areas, like the Mojave Desert in the US. So the water requirements must not be that severe. I question locating a plant near an urban area like Beijing though because particulate air pollution from existing carbon energy sources can radically reduce the energy of the incident sunlight.
Energy: Beijing to get solar thermal power
I think this solution is perfect for Pakistan, where there is lots of sunlight and space but not much money. This type of power station seems to be cheaper than solar cells, far simpler to build than nuclear power stations, obviously far more reliable than wind power and pollution free.
EDIT: A video showing a solar power station: YouTube - Solar Power
China will begin constructing Asia's first 1.5-megawatt solar thermal power station
In 2007 China produced 1700 MW of solar panels, nearly half of the world production of 3800 MW, although 99% was exported. China has installed about 80 MW of photovoltaics. Solar water heating is used extensively, though.
Zaki, I guess you should write one final, definitive and comprehensive piece for most of the "solar is cheap" crowd. I will chip in. I'm sick off the illiteracy that spews every week on the forum regarding the economics of solar power. I have worked on projects of Solar PV, Solar Thermal and some experimental as well and hence know the technicalities to a certain extent.
The illiteracy that is spewed time and again pisses me off. You and I have written many posts on this. If you have time, please compile a grand post on this issue.
@ Justin
please check the dates before you start writing long lectures. This news was posted in February 2009 and the plants you are mentioning are after September 2009. Most of the links that you shared are from year 2010
@ your question
Source: Eco-Economy Indicators - Solar Power | EPI
Designed by the China Academy of Sciences, the station is expected to cost 100 million yuan and is likely to power at least 30,000 homes when it starts operating in 2010, Wang Zhifeng, chief designer of the plant told China Daily in an exclusive interview.
Energy: Beijing to get solar thermal power
Zaki, plz read before posting.
If we go all kind of solar plants then why not go for Taiwan's solar plant that was inaugurated way before both india and china's plants
Taiwan's first HCPV solar power system inaugurated - The China Post
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- A ceremony was held Saturday in southern Taiwan to inaugurate the country's first commercial-grade high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) solar power system, which will have a total installed capacity of one megawatt once the construction project is completed.
again you did not read it properly. The plant was already inaugurated with 100 kilowatts of production, 1mw is its target in futureExcerpts from the Taiwan link you have posted.
Do you get it from highlighted part or not?????
Yaar, Taiwan's plant was not fully operational before Indian plant.
Hence I'm right that India was first in Asia not China. Also, ours was 2 MW and Taiwanese or chinese are small plants of 1MW & 1.5 MW respectively.
The country’s solar- power capacity may rise to 2,000 megawatts by 2011 and 20,000 megawatts by 2020, from 150 megawatts in 2008, he said.
This doesn't use solar cells/photovoltaic cells or solar panels at all. Read the article and you will see.
It is basically a system of mirrors that focus lots of sunlight onto a small spot at the top of a tower, the temperature of this spot is around 400 degrees Celsius. It heats water to steam which is sent to turbines.
No expensive solar cells, no millions of gallons of water. You just keep the mirrors clean (easy) and keep them in the right position to focus the light as the sun moves (done by computers).
Obviously during the night it won't work, but then again demand for electricity at night is far lower.
Friend,
Some time i pity these Chinese the communist always gives hype to small news and try to spared false propaganda.
Now they are making big news of a solar plant whose construction has to begin and on top of that they try to make fool people by saying that its first in Asia.
Really???????
Now, i tell you the truth, Chinese propaganda busted
The first Solar power plant in Asia is not to constructed it is already constructed and it is supplying power to people.
And its not small like chinese are building 1.5 MW its 2 MW solar plant in Jamuria, West Bengal, India inaugurated last year in September 2009.
India connects first solar power plant | Cleantech Group
And its not only that we have many solar power plants in India.
India's first commercial solar power plant
Topsun Plans 5-MW PV Plant in Gujarat | Renewable Energy World
Birla Power Arm Eyes JV With US Firm In Solar Energy | VCCircle
States first solar power plant in Kolar
So, people don't go by chinese propaganda, India is building 1000 MW of solar pants and we have launched national solar mission, which aims to generate 20000 MW of solar power by 2022.