An interesting new entry in the solar power market is blooming in a desert in Southern Spain. A system of 50 mirrors track the sun and reflect its light into a 115-foot high tulip shaped tower; the concentrated rays cause the air in the bulb to heat up to over 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The super heated air is then forced into a combustion chamber where it expands, powering a turbine generator and creating electricity.
The solar tulip idea carries some eco-friendly benefits. It relies on air as the heat transfer system — eliminating the need for other mediums such as oil, salt or water. Nor is water required to cool it. Only when the sun goes down is an external fuel supply used to keep the system going.
via DVICE
Image: AORA
