We Are Thisclose to Affordable Concentrating Solar Power – And More Green Jobs, Too
Posted by EcoFriendlyMar 21
We Are Thisclose to Affordable Concentrating Solar Power – And More Green Jobs, Too
Pittsburgh-based Alcoa and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory have partnered up to take us another step closer to low cost solar power. The lab is hosting a test run of Alcoa’s new concentrating solar power technology, which was designed to be competitive in the U.S. energy market partly due to a low cost, energy efficient process. It could also result in more green jobs in manufacturing – if the company takes advantage of opportunities in the U.S.
Conventional solar technology relies on glass mirrors, and glass is not Alcoa’s area of expertise. That would be aluminum, one of the world’s most inexpensive and abundant metals. In addition to its other advantages Alcoa notes that aluminum can be “infinitely recycled” (nicely put!), which is something to think about for future sustainability because at this rate the world will soon be awash in solar panels.
(more…)
Leave a Reply