It looks like a giant funhouse mirror. But the big new dish atop South Table Mountain could be a renewable energy breakthrough that helps make concentrated solar power more affordable and appealing to utilities and their customers.

For the next several months, NREL engineers will be testing the performance of SkyTrough, an innovative parabolic trough that is coated with a gleaming reflective skin instead of mirrored glass.

NREL offers leading-edge testing and performance analysis for advanced solar technologies and other renewable energy designs.

The SkyTrough was developed by SkyFuel, an Albuquerque–based manufacturer with a research facility near NREL in Arvada, CO.

The unit's lightweight glass-free are mirrors made of sheet metal beneath ReflecTech^® mirror film.

This highly-reflective, silver-metalized film is lighter and less expensive than the breakable glass mirrors that are traditionally used. The film is a joint invention of NREL and ReflecTech™ and exclusively licensed from NREL. The glossy laminate is comprised of multiple layers of polymer films with an inner layer of pure silver to provide for a highly reflective surface that also protects the silver layer from oxidation

In commercial use, a SkyTrough could measure as large as 375 feet long and 20 feet high. One SkyTrough would supply enough electricity for 125 homes. The test model is smaller, but uses the same technologies.

"It's unlike any parabolic trough design used so far," said NREL senior engineer Keith Gawlik. "Our new facility is designed to test the optical efficiency of the unit, which they can't do on their own at SkyFuel."

Full article http://www.nrel.gov/features/20090109_mesa_solar.html

Building on the Solar Steam Train concept, we are raising support for a demonstration project in Sacramento, California. Proposed is to use the existing rail yards to support a fireless locomotive that would be used in rotation on the tourist line in Old Sacramento .

Sacramento Rail Yards

As part of a District Energy System , the PG&E steam plant on Jibboom Street can be re-used to support not only the Solar Train - it will also provide energy security for development of the River-front & Rail-yards area.

1940 Heisler fireless locomotive

SAN FRANCISCO, January 12, 2006 - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today created the largest solar program of its kind in any state in the country - the California Solar Initiative, a 10-year, $2.9 billion program designed to help California move toward a cleaner energy future and help bring the costs of solar electricity down for California consumers. The goal of the program is to increase the amount of installed solar capacity on rooftops in the state by 3,000 MW by 2017.

"California has long been a leader on environmentally-sound approaches to the provision of energy. We adopted formalized policies on renewable power and energy efficiency in our Energy Action Plans," said PUC President Michael R. Peevey. "The California Solar Initiative continues that tradition with an aggressive new program to promote solar development."

"The California Solar Initiative is the largest solar program in the country and I hope it will be a model for other states," said Commissioner Dian M. Grueneich. "The program will be a major source of dependable and environmentally friendly electricity, and is a major tool in the State's promise to address climate change and meet the Governor's goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

"Today's decision signals California's vote for a cleaner, more reliable energy future," commented Commissioner Rachelle Chong.  "Now it's up to Californians to make this a reality by stepping up to the plate to go solar."