Latest & Best Desert Solar Thermal

This link goes to BrightSource Energy's web site, which provides an excellent explanation and very clear graphics of the technology involved. Basically thousands of large flat mirrors focus the sun's energy on a boiler to generate 550 deg C high pressure steam. This steam is then used to drive conventional steam turbines coupled to electric generators. It appears that one unique aspect of the BrightSource technology is the computer control for the thousands of mirrors to keep each one tracking the sun and directing the reflected light onto the boiler.

Also, it looks like once again, California has taken the lead in the US. As of September 2009, the California Public Utilities Commission had approved 1,310 megawatts of contracts between BrightSource and PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric).