The US solar industry just got brighter as eSolar flicks the switch of their 5-megawatt (MW) Sierra SunTower. Located in Lancaster, California, it is said to be the only solar plant of its kind in the US.

The facility is technically a solar thermal plant. Compared to a solar photovoltaic plant that uses solar cells to convert sunlight directly to electric energy, it instead uses mirrors to concentrate light at the top of a tower to heat water. Steam generated runs the electric turbine.

A usual eSolar design uses one tower and 12,000 mirrors and could power 2000 households. eSolar’s Sierra SunTower is different in that it uses two 160-foot towers and twice the number of mirrors at 24,000. This bold design generates twice the power at 5 MW and could power 4,000 households. What’s more is that it could be built less than a year using pre-fabricated parts.

Many say that solar thermal has the potential to change the solar industry, mostly because it is cheaper. After all, mirrors are much more cost-effective than silicon solar cells. Bill Gross, eSolar’s CEO, went as far as saying that the project represents “the lowest cost solar project in history,” and that the company could power the entire United States with just 91 square miles of mirrors and towers.

Legislation and “E-nnovation” makes sweet music

The support and cooperation of the State of California and the City of Lancaster throughout the construction process gave the boost eSolar needed. “The City of Lancaster is proud to be home to the nation’s newest solar power tower plant. This plant and eSolar’s progressive growth plans throughout the Antelope Valley are the crown jewels in our ongoing effort to truly become the Alternative Energy Capital of the World,” Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the state has worked to create an environment that allows companies like eSolar to thrive through measures such as AB 32 and the California Solar Initiative.

Gross is thinking big. The company has already cashed in on this technology, landing a $30-million licensing deal with the Acme Group in India, and $10 million with NRG Energy with plans for three plants in California and New Mexico which can generate up to 465 MW already in the works.

eSolar ushers in a new era of solar energy where we will begin to harness the sun to power not just our homes but our everyday lives.

Spain has led the installation of the solar tower concept, having two of the world’s first solar towers from company Abengoa Solar.


- Oliver M. Bayani