China's 12,000-Mirror Solar Plant Powers On After Sunset: How it Works

• China's 100 MW solar plant in Dunhuang uses 12,000 heliostat mirrors to generate electricity even after sunset.
• Heliostats track the sun, reflecting concentrated sunlight onto a central tower, heating molten salt.
• Molten salt stores heat, acting like a battery, allowing the plant to produce power 24/7.
• Stored heat converts water into steam, driving turbines to generate electricity long after the sun sets.
• This technology addresses solar power's intermittency, making renewable energy more stable and reducing fossil fuel reliance.

Key Questions Answered

How does Dunhuang's 12,000-mirror solar plant generate electricity after sunset?

Dunhuang's 12,000-mirror solar plant generates electricity after sunset by using molten salt to store energy.

What role does molten salt play in China's innovative solar tower?

Molten salt is used to store energy and generate electricity even after sunset. This allows China's solar tower in Dunhuang to operate 24/7.

How does the Dunhuang solar plant address solar power's biggest issue?

The Dunhuang solar plant addresses solar power's intermittency by storing energy using molten salt. This allows it to generate electricity even after sunset.