Residential solar power from a 19th century stirling engine
Tracking the sun across the sky, the swiveling stirling engine dishes adjust to the optimal position for capturing the sun's rays. By focusing those rays onto a single point and then converting it to energy, this 19th century technology is simple and efficient - heat pushes a piston. The stirling engine was invented in 1816 as an alternative to steam engines, which had a tendency to explode in those days.
Residential solar power will be a reality in California by 2012
Two major utility companies, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric, are working with Stirling Energy Systems to harness the power of the Mojave desert sunshine. Each captures enough sunlight to generate 25KW, or kilowatts, which can power ten homes. This site represents the largest residential solar power system on the planet - covering 5 square miles of the desert with 20,000 stirling engine dishes, generating a whopping 500 Megawatts, powering 250,000 homes.
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