Solar thermal parabolic mirrors

Solar thermal energy is generated when large parabolic mirrors (reflectors) concentrate sunlight on a tower where fluid therein is super-heated, creating steam, which turns turbines, creating electricity.  Large amounts of land are required for solar thermal, and the method of power generation means that systems are owned or leased by utilities, which sell the clean energy to customers.

Like PV power, solar thermal energy is clean and efficient.  Electricity produced creates no emissions and it is nearly 100% pollutant-free.  Once solar thermal power plants are installed, little to no maintenance is required.  Compared to grid-based electricity, this is cheaper over time because fewer employees are required.  However, solar thermal is still more expensive than solar PV power.

Compared to solar thermal, solar PV power is a superior choice because it can be sized for smaller, individual installations.  Like solar thermal power, it is renewable and non-polluting.  It is also cheaper, overall – for now!

Solar thermal power plants are becoming more frequent, which helps customers that might otherwise not be able to afford solar power to convert to a clean, renewable power source.

Solar mirrors in Spain

Solar mirrors, the reflective surfaces that are used for concentrated solar power, are manufactured right here in the USA.  Utility-scale solar power, generated by CSP – also known as thermal solar power – is used in California, Nevada, Spain and will soon be constructed in the Sahara Desert.

Many of these facilities use FLABEG solar mirrors.

Also known as parabolic panels or solar thermal collectors, solar mirrors are installed on the ground to reflect solar energy towards hot water tanks.  The water is then superheated to produce steam, which turns turbines and generates clean, green electricity.

In Pittsburgh, PA, a new solar mirror manufacturing plant was opened last week by German company, FLABEG.  The corporation now owns and operates 11 factories worldwide, focused on supplying fine glass products.  As announced on its website:

FLABEG doubles its capacities for solar mirrors. Starting in late 2009, the full range of high performance mirrors for concentrating solar power (CSP) will be manufactured on a production area of 22,465 sq.m. FLABEG’s product range then covers all solar technologies, including parabolic trough power plants, power tower, linear Fresnel and parabolic dish applications. FLABEG Solar chose Allegheny County because of its skilled work force, and 200 jobs will be created in the Clinton Commerce Park. FLABEG’s strength is the application of new technologies using innovative methods to provide renewable solar energy for our future.

The new FLABEG solar mirror plant has created 300 new green jobs in the region.  Located in the Clinton Commerce Park, near the Pittsburgh International Airport, the 209,000 square foot facility is already up and running.  First solar mirror production orders will be shipped this month.

The new solar mirror plant has a greater product range than some of the company’s other operational plants.  I was surprised to read the following from the FLABEG website:

These days, concentrating solar power (CSP) is the only solar technology that could achieve the level of output required to replace fossil-fueled and nuclear power plants. The first nine privately funded plants of this nature (SEGS I-IX), which are still in commercial service, were built between 1984 and 1991 in California’s Mojave Desert – and fitted with FLABEG mirrors. Though this was quite a success story, it was a good fifteen years before the next CSP project came to fruition.

If you live in the United States and want more information about the FLABEG solar mirrors plant, be sure to contact:

FLABEG Technical Glass
U.S. Corporation
Church & Bridge Street
Po Box 71
Naugatuck, CT 06770
Connecticut
USA
Tel. +1 203 – 729 5227
joe.bonessi@flabeg.com