Obtaining Solar Power in the Dark
One of the key drawbacks for solar energy usage has been the mystery of how to create solar power in the dark. New research being conducted in the Southwest could change the way we view the idea of a solar power system and its ability to provide continuous power, even at night.
The new research project, coined Solara, is currently underway in the desert. It features a series of mirrors that are taking the rays of the sun and focusing them on black pipes which will then carry the heat from the sun to tanks of molten salt. The idea is that the light will “stay” in the salt, and it can be drawn back out when the sun has gone down, allowing power to be generated 24 hours a day. The idea of storing solar power has long been a dream for researchers, and it looks like there may finally be a way to make this happen.
While this is currently being tested by a utility company for delivery to its customers, the promise is that this technology could one day be used for residential homes and commercial businesses, reducing the concerns about from where to draw power at night. This could be especially promising for homes located in areas that experience more overcast conditions, which is not a problem that people living in the desert face.
Solar power systems are growing in popularity with homeowners and businesses. With exciting research projects like Solara, it is easier to envision a day when every home has solar panels, using an environmentally-friendly source of electric power.