1. Solar Thermal Plants

2. Thermal Energy: Reliable source Reliable source Could potentially supply 10% U.S. energy demand Could potentially supply 10% U.S. energy demand

3. Concentrating Solar Power Technologies (CSP) By using 1% of the earth’s deserts to build CSPs more electricity could be produced than is currently being produced by fossil fuels by the entire planet By using 1% of the earth’s deserts to build CSPs more electricity could be produced than is currently being produced by fossil fuels by the entire planet

4. How they work: Generate electricity indirectly Generate electricity indirectly 1. Heat from sun rays is collected and heats fluid. 2. Steam produced from heated fluid powers a generator. 3. Produces electricity.

5. Parabolic Trough

6. Parabolic Dish

7. Power Tower

8. Thermal Energy Storage Thermal energy storage is up to 93% efficient and can supply energy when sun is not shining Thermal energy storage is up to 93% efficient and can supply energy when sun is not shining

9. Buy this product! Cost of building, maintaining, and operating solar thermal electric system shas decreased dramatically Cost of building, maintaining, and operating solar thermal electric system shas decreased dramatically Economically competitive with conventional electricity Economically competitive with conventional electricity Possible to produce at $0.06 or $0.07 per kWh Possible to produce at $0.06 or $0.07 per kWh