Lindsey Kratochwill
at 16:23 PM Feb 8 2016
Energy // 

The giant concentrated solar power plant in Morocco switched on its first phase this week. Known as Noor I, the 160-megawatt power plant is the first of three phases (named Noor II and Noor III, of course) of a concentrated solar power house situated in the Ouarzazate province.

Ajai Raj
at 23:56 PM May 30 2013
Science // 

The Beam Down Tower at Masdar is a step forward in concentrated solar power (CSP). Unlike other plants, the system reflects sunlight twice, once from the heliostats to the central tower and once from the tower down to a collection platform at the system's base. Because scientists can focus the sunlight at a very small area, they can achieve great heat. They recently concentrated solar energy to 590 degrees. The plant is currently only 100 kW, but designers say it could scale up easily.

Sign up for the Pop Sci newsletter
Australian Popular Science
ON SALE 03 NOVEMBER
PopSci Live