MIT students create "wal mart" cheap solar concentrator

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/solar-dish-0618.html

Frequently Asked Questions


Q: Didn't Mythbusters/that guy on the internet/everyone in the 80s do this already?
A: YES! We're following in the footsteps of many brilliant people. Our innovation is to make them so cheap and easy that they can finally be used across the US, and eventually the world.


Q: Isn't it dangerous?
A: Anything that produces a lot of energy, from cars to wind turbines, is somewhat dangerous. However, the focus point is so concentrated and so high off the ground that the danger of a person wandering into it is minimal.


Q: Can you put solar panels on the end of it?
A: Normal solar panels couldn't handle that much sunlight. However, there is research into high concentration PV, and our system provides the unusually constant flux required to operate them efficiently.


Q: Are you going to use these in the developing world?
A: Because of the simplicity of the design, and use of widely available materials, the Dish has huge potential to address the energy problems of the rapidly developing third world. However, To get the business off the ground, we're focusing on large US installations in the short term.