Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The World's Largest Solar Plant Started Creating Electricity Today [View all]solarhydrocan
(551 posts)22. Molten salt is one answer
Solar Two used molten salt, a combination of 60% sodium nitrate and 40% potassium nitrate, as an energy storage medium instead of oil or water as with Solar One. This helped in energy storage during brief interruptions in sunlight due to clouds.[1] The molten salt also allowed the energy to be stored in large tanks for future use such as night timeSolar Two had sufficient capacity to continue running for up to three hours after the sun had set
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Two
"We're proud of Solar Two's success as it marks a significant milestone in the development of large-scale solar energy projects," said then U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson.
"This technology has been successfully demonstrated and is ready for commercialization. From 1994 to 1999, the Solar Two project demonstrated the ability of solar molten salt technology to provide long-term, cost effective thermal energy storage for electricity generation.", Boeing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Two
Next: Solar Hydrogen
Solar electrolysis = free hydrogen
Inside the Solar-Hydrogen House: No More Power Bills--Ever
A New Jersey resident generates and stores all the power he needs with solar panels and hydrogen
EAST AMWELL, N.J.Mike Strizki has not paid an electric, oil or gas billnor has he spent a nickel to fill up his Mercury Sablein nearly two years. Instead, the 51-year-old civil engineer makes all the fuel he needs using a system he built in the capacious garage of his home, which employs photovoltaic (PV) panels to turn sunlight into electricity that is harnessed in turn to extract hydrogen from tap water...

Civil engineer Mike Strizki has lined the roof of his garage with 56 photovoltaic panels to harvest the free and abundant energy of the sun--even in New Jersey.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hydrogen-house/
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
Recommendations
0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):
110 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
We're seriously thinking about panelling our roof......we've got great south and west roof space for
a kennedy
Feb 2014
#5
That's a great idea. In the South, we really need some shade to park in. Our cars
loudsue
Feb 2014
#57
Lowerng energy use, expanding wilderness, controlling our own reproduction, is not "primitive."
hunter
Feb 2014
#50
that is nice and all but not going to happen...You'll just have to go off-the-grid by yourself
snooper2
Feb 2014
#64
Have you been in Florida? Plenty of sun, but corrupt, disgusting politicians like gov. Rick Scott
AikidoSoul
Feb 2014
#97
The better analogy is how do transistor radios work when you stop broadcasting.
Gravitycollapse
Feb 2014
#48
"The main advantage of this type of solar plant is that it’s easy to store energy.."
G_j
Feb 2014
#14
I believe that they have now found ways to store solar energy for short periods of time
davidpdx
Feb 2014
#94
I just have one question, thought. Does this generate more or less electrical power than
TrollBuster9090
Feb 2014
#21
Amazing what happens when corporate whores are driven into splinter party status
Jack Rabbit
Feb 2014
#33
Your critique would make more sense if you assume that I want a Communist revolution
Jack Rabbit
Feb 2014
#73
Too much stupid... must resist.. blacking out now... I am the sole survivor of this thread...
XRubicon
Feb 2014
#80