http://sunpluggers.com/news/energy-department-funds-solar-projects-aimed-at-generating-baseload-power-0493The U.S. Department of Energy has agreed to invest as much as $62 million in the next five years toward the use of concentrating solar power to generate baseload electricity.
Concentrating solar power, or CSP, uses mirror reflectors or lenses to concentrate the sun's energy and convert it to heat that can drive an engine or turbine to produce electricity. This form of solar technology has so far been designed and used not for rooftops or backyards but for large-scale solar power plants.
It has the advantage of allowing the storage of heat energy for use in generating electricity at times when the sun isn't shining. A disadvantage, in addition to the need for considerable open space, is that some types may require substantial amounts of water.
Solar photovoltaic technology, which requires water only for occasional module cleaning, has the disadvantage of producing electricity only when exposed to sunlight.
<more>