Very cool.
One more advantage of solar--almost anyone with a house can collect their own energy for themselves simply by putting a solar panel on their roof.
Nice work, Google.

This is a great idea and I hope it works.

I must admit to being surprised that it takes until noon for the temperature to reach a point where it can actually produce any electricity. That means it is only actually working for few hours in the afternoon. Maybe 5-6 hours at the most.

No wonder the only mention of efficiency had to do with the reflectivity of the mirrors. Not a word on the actual overal efficiency. The only meaningful measure.

Not hard to see why such a capital instensive and (when its actual time of production is factored in) relatively inefficient mode of energy generation has had such a difficult time competing. The use of coercive funding tactics and donations is a sure sign of something that can't really stand on its own.

Not to fear. There are other eco-friendly but more efficient ways of producing power. Even solar power. This is something worth trying, but don't count on it as a final solution.

Wow!! That's incredible. I really thought they would be against such an undertaking...

I suppose every little bit helps, but I am wondering where they get the water to condense (cool) the steam back into liquid from (water) This power plant is in an extreme desert region. Also, it seems very similar to a solar powered flashlight that only works in the light and only about half of the daylight.

I live in Arizona and think every house should be required to have solar collectors on their homes. The more people with them will lower the costs. Also if you have the proper meters it will allow unused energy to be sold back to the grid. This would be a great way to lower our need for natural gas.