Stirling Energy Systems featured their new Stirling Engine powered Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Suncatcher System at this year’s Solar Power International conference. The Buildaroo News Team interviewed Brian and Jeff about the product’s technology, energy efficiency and manufacturing process. What’s particularly striking is that the company uses automotive manufacturing plants to produce this product. Watch the video above to see the product in action and find out what Brian had to say. How the product works: Mirrors concentrate the sunlight into the solar receiver which heats up the hydrogen gas contained in the system to around 700 degrees. This temperature increase pushes the pistons and generates electricity. Features: – Does not use any water for energy production, while other CSP technologies require water as a cooling agent. In this Stirling Energy Systems product, water is only used to cleanse the product. – The Stirling Energy System technology is completely clean with no combustion. – The technology is highly scalable as it can be manufactured in 25 megawatt blocks. Stirling Energy Systems manufactures their engine and mirror facet using an automotive assembly line in Detroit, Michigan since these plants have many years of experience in manufacturing engines. The product is appropriate for utility scale installations and is currently available on the market.
