Pete,

I think overall (non-engineer) this technology does work, and it is less expensive than photovoltaic. How well it works is the question.

Yes, the desert southwest USA does have plenty of sun. But only 6-8 hours of "useable" peak sun angle and intensity, so the supply isn't consistent, and technology for storing power for use during the evening is pretty lame.

Also, two items in the desert: dust and wind. How are they addressing those issues?

How about the effect of blanketing square miles of desert with mirrors will have on the natural flora and fauna of the area?

I believe there are several different types of solar generating plants in operation both here and Spain (I think). While they do work, I don't think efficient enough to revolutionize the industry just yet...

A funny way to look at it, but petroleum is not really a fuel SOURCE, it's an energy conveyor. The trees and plants that collected the solar energy millions of years ago turned into petroleum, and we are using that energy now. So, in a way, fossil fuel is a type of solar energy storage system.

Personally, I think several things must happen to enable us to move forward in the energy future:

Reduce consumption must be number 1 on the list. USA is far too wasteful to be able to support current or future demand with alternative energy

Diversity would be number 2 on the list. Geo, hydro, solar, bio, nuke, coal, fossil, etc. all can play small parts in the overall picture, each where it is most efficient.