Issue Highlights

The Thermal Energy Storage Solution
Thermal energy storage stores excess solar heat to extend the operating hours for concentrating solar power. Is it also the answer for increasing the grid value of electricity from wind and photovoltaics?
By Zhiwen Ma, Greg C. Glatzmaier and Chuck Kutscher

Playing the Angles for Solar-Responsive Design
Solar geometry provides the tools for effective passive solar heating, shading and daylighting.
By Norbert M. Lechner

The Breezeway House: Passive House Comes to Salt Lake City
A Utah couple builds their dream house, which incorporates the core goals of Passive House design — low energy use, thermal comfort and excellent indoor air quality.
By Dave Brach AIA, CPHC

Valuing the Opportunity of Solar Distributed Generation
Distributed renewable energy generation is creating an exciting shift in the utility business.
By Phil Smithers

Also In This Issue:
Innovators: Former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter
Investing: Remarkable Desertec Project Gains Traction
The Trade: Best Practice Considerations for Small Wind Programs
System Accomplished: Solar Carries a Swimming Pool Through the Winter
New Products: WREF 2012 Showcase
Perspective
PV Power Map
Advances
Inside ASES

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Solar Reserve topped out its Tonapah power tower in February. Solar Reserve photo.

The Denver Post reports that the Saguache County Board of Commissioners has voted to approve Solar Reserve’s plan for a 200-MW power tower project in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The tower will use molten-salt thermal storage to provide baseload power.

Solar Reserve, developer of the Crescent Hills power tower in Tonapah, Nev., says the 6,200-acre site will be developed in two stages. The company has negotiated a transmission agreement for the first 100-MW with Xcel Energy, but does not yet have a buyer for the power.