Way cool video.
The robots are solar powered as well. This is not all that "futuristic" IMO, but a near-term solution to cleaning mirrors - and probably another reason why Google hired Ray Kurzweil. Robots could be on-the-way for all we know, given the reputation of Google. I have to agree with Stewart on one point: that distributed power of any kind would be better, if it were feasible. However, photovoltaics are too expensive in the USA. LENR is about the only option that seems to work best as a distributed system, but will it be delayed? If LENR is delayed -perhaps the next step can be analyzed this way. 1) When wind is available it is preferable and the lowest cost - go with VAWT first even for small installations. 2) There are not many great wind sites, so distributed solar is not a bad choice but photovoltaics are still not a great option due to installation cost. 3) Photovoltaic installation cost exceeds hardware cost in many places. 4) Distributed solar thermal without steam - would be ideal if there was a good converter, and there is - but it isn't available yet. It could probably be self-installed, but that technology is not here. 5) This free piston Stirling looks like the best of all non LENR solutions if it could be mass produced like an auto engine: http://www.qnergy.com/-overview From: Jed Rothwell Show me the robots driving through that desert Jed, washing those 350,000 + mirrors. Here, let me Google that for you: Autonomous Electrostatic Heliostat Cleaning Robot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMgW-VFvzRs There are many other robotic heliostat cleaners in arid and desert areas already in operation. They have been in operation for years. - Jed
