Solar panels aren't the only way to generate energy using the sun. You can build... | Hacker News

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_1qd4 on Sept 17, 2020 | parent | context | favorite | on: Ultra Safe Nuclear

Solar panels aren't the only way to generate energy using the sun. You can build a concentrated solar farm (see: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/06/motorsport/morocco-solar-...) which uses mirrors and salt to produce up to 580mw of power, with a cost of just under $1bil.

My neighbor heats their pool using solar, it's just a bunch of tubes that cycle water over their roof. They got rid of their gas heater. Given that most backyard pools are used in the summer, why can't we swap these to using solar?

pfdietz on Sept 18, 2020 | [–]

Concentrated solar has lost to PV. It's simply not competitive now.

For domestic hot water, it's now cheaper to use PV and a heat pump (or even resistive!) water heater.

tgsovlerkhgsel on Sept 18, 2020 | [–]

If the pool needs heating while the house needs air conditioning, using the pool as a heat sink for the A/C would probably be even better.

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