Seems to be written by someone still stuck in 20th Century cynicism.

"the technology will always remain limited to places where there are a lot of cloud-free days -- it needs direct sun, whereas photovoltaics can make do with more diffuse light."

Would be more accurately written

"the technology is going to be best installed where there are a lot of cloud-free days.  Think the Southwest US, for example, where thermal solar could provide much of the power needed by Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, ....

It won't be as useful in places where there are more cloudy days and there PV, with its ability to use diffused light, might be a more appropriate technology."

They might have even gone one step further and admitted that there is no one single answer to our energy future.  Solar in some places, wind in others, Bay of Fundy has huge tidal potential (while the plains of Colorado has none),....

can't take em anywhere.

there's this pathetic, pedantic need to state the obvious (e.g. solar power and darkness having issues with one another) which overwhelms clear thinking on so many occasions...

sheesh...

Whiskerfish

SGP is correct.  However, market manipulation is not sustainable, so I would not worry too much about that image going forward.  

The reason they want maximum sun is because they are excessively expensive.  If the technologies mature and costs go down then the return on investment will be positive without subsidies, and without desert sun.  

If it works, and it will, then solar concentrators will be located near industries and cities for total energy systems of local heat and power.  The desert is the last place I would locate such systems.  The O&M, especially mirror cleaning, is too expensive, as is the energy loss, cooling, and transmission costs.  In situ solar and local ownership is my vision, a positive ROI in Seattle type climates.
 

Hi Joe--Yes, Science and Nature have been slow to understand what is happening with CSP.

I've spoken to the CSP researchers about writing an article, but they are busy advancing the technology and developing projects--with lots of good news, as you know.

Could you write a piece for these top journals? You have the credentials that people like myself don't. If you need any information on recent developments I can help provide that.

Best. Leslie

Leslie Glustrom with Clean Energy Action (Colorado)

Baseload solar is a misleading judgmental term. I believe many types of renewable energies including PV, micro-wind, mega-wind, as well as conservation, may help supply today's "baseload" needs.  The challenge of energy storage (on the order of hours or a few days) for these technologies will be something to address regardless of the type of "baseload renewable" source(s) are utilized.

I am keeping an open mind about CSP for now. If the same technology that is recently rolled out to make self-cleaning windows (a dirt repellent coating, titanium based if I'm not mistaken) may be in the wings for these CSP mirrors, maybe the water use achilles heel can be overcome.  The dismissing of the water treatment and reuse option seems overly presumptious (that treatment cannot be done or won't be affordable) at this time.

I agree the premise of the Nature piece, if it presumes there is a "silver bullet" single technology to renewable energy challenges, is way off base from reality.  The best solutions will be locally optimized for the environmental conditions and niches at each area humans are living.

Moving toward sustainability with hopefulness, one revolution at a time.

We at Solar Botanic are mimicking nature, creating natural looking artificial trees and plants, fitted with Nanoleaves, the leaves are a combination of nano technologies that enable the leaf to convert solar radiation (light & heat) into electricity, furthermore the leaf petiole or the stem, and twigs comprise nano-piezovoltaic material - these tiny generators react to movement caused by wind or from falling rain drops and start to produce electricity, this synergy of technology with natures design will soon become a reality.

Renewable energy that combines solar radiation and wind energy in one system and offers added value to the end users and above all, is in harmony with nature.

The reason is simple. Nature, through billions of years of trial and error, has produced effective solutions to innumerable complex real-world problems.

There is no need to fill our landscapes with wind turbines and other systems that impact our environment. The field of biomimetics is the application of methods and systems, found in nature. To capitalize on the wealth of designs and processes found in nature, engineering and technology has given solar Botanics the tools to harvest the energy resources in a responsible way.

Triple conversion of green energies (Light, Heat and Wind)
Aesthetic in harmony with Nature
Partly made from recycled waste materials
Can be placed in and around cities or residential areas
Durable, easy to install, provides shade, cools the air, gives wind protection
Recharges your car, takes the CO2 out the air, and much more.

Solar Botanic trees and plants will bring a variety of species to the market, so that every environment can choose something that fit its natural habitat. Trees can be implemented in cities and rural areas, places of natural beauty and island resorts that depend on tourism.
The project is currently underway with help from Investment funds from the Middle East were the first solar botanic palm tree will be planted. This palm tree with its 36 leaves will generate more than 5000 kWh per year. The location and amount of sun hours per year makes this palm tree a very cheap energy provider at less than $ 0, 3 per kWh.

The added value of solar botanic trees are; providing shade, cooling the air, wind break, crop protection, prevention of heat islands in cities, road glare, noise barrier, protection of dune vegetation. Solar botanic trees can be fitted with additional equipment to filter the air, (taking out CO2) and water. Water management can be controlled by trees.

Trees and shrubs can be planted most of the time without permission because they fit in with our local scenery. Trees, plants and shrubs have aesthetical function the enhance our city and meeting places, or are just there to give us a nice view when we look out of our window. Trees decrease our visual awareness if it comes to visual or noise pollution. The psychology effect of trees takes care of a better micro climate, extreme temperatures are reduced and absorb, trees and shrubs give protection against wind, and sun. Trees are a source of inspiration for artistic creativity. Trees carry a culture of history they can show the history of a place and are often proof of past history. Trees are a symbol growth and energy, trees have a economic value. The presence of trees often increases the value of property, especially mature trees that at the same time deliver more energy.