Is there any thermal power plant that uses solar energy converted into energy?

Question

I just found one, here at http://www.gadgetroad.com/technology/spain-uses-worlds-first-solar-thermal-power-plant/2007/05/07/, in Seville, Spain. They say is the only one, buy I feel they're wrong? Is it true?

Answer 1

Yes!....and NO its not true!

A new 12 MW power plant was just put online last year in June.  It is located just outside Phoenix, AZ, and it provides all of its power to Sempra Energy in San Diego for distribution to all those power hungry folk in the so-called nation's finest city.  Go to the Sempra Energy site and check it out...its in their news releases.

Answer 2

The solar power is very expensive .I installed a remote repeater in the jungle of Ecuador and to do it correct I spent about $20,000  and 3 months a strong wind blew it away and I had to rebuild it. This time the supports was steel and it could still get tore up because of the huge surface area .

Answer 3

Maybe the only of their type...

But there is also a technology using the Stirling motor to convert directly heat into mechanical energy and then electricity.

Check a company called "exergy"