A whole field of mirrors: solar energy is extracted 24 hours a day in a very unusual way

247Solar's innovative energy system stores sunlight to generate continuous clean energy day and night.

247Solar has developed a new approach to concentrated solar power (CSP). Its high-temperature systems boast thermal energy storage at night, which enables them to supply clean energy around the clock, writes interestingengineering.com.

The 247Solar system uses an array of sun-tracking mirrors (heliostats) to concentrate sunlight on a central tower. In the tower there is a proprietary solar receiver that heats the air up to 1000 degrees Celsius. Then this hot air activates turbines, generating electricity and industrial heat.

The peculiarity of the system is the method of storing thermal energy. Excess hot air is directed to a long-term storage system where it heats solid materials that store heat for later use. This stored thermal energy is used at night to power turbines as the sun sinks below the horizon.

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The facility offers 24/7 electricity, provides a combined heat and power option with the ability to supply heat up to 970 degrees Celsius for industrial processes. It can be used where it is cloudy or where there is relatively little sunlight, such as in the north.

247Solar is exploring hybrid systems that combine their technology with traditional solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. This allows customers to take advantage of the cost-effectiveness of solar electricity during the day, seamlessly switching to power at night. The power plant will be able to allow the use of one energy source sometimes, sometimes another.

The company is also known for its autonomous HeatStorE thermal batteries, which are heated using photovoltaic systems or wind electricity. They can store heat for more than 9 hours, and then release it in the form of electricity and industrial process heat or only high-temperature heat. The thermal battery costs only one-seventh of the price of lithium-ion analogues per produced kilowatt-hour.