A Solar Tower is a large energy producing system that converts sunlight into thermal or electrical energy. Solar towers are more efficient on a large scale than PhotoVoltaic panels, so municipal and government programs have developed these system to take advantage of solar energy. Solar towers can be constructed in a variety of ways, from an array of heliostats to a large greenhouse structure.

Solar towers enjoy a level of efficiency that is not available to the small system. This is because of the area that they cover. The energy of the sun is a function of how much collector area you have, and solar towers are sometimes in the thousands of square meters. The collected energy is then concentrated to the top of a central tower, where it can be absorbed by a high temperature working fluid. This fluid then carries the collected energy to a series of conversion mechanisms, like steam or heat engines. The heat is used to power the engines, which, in turn, powers a generator that produces electricity. The waste heat can be used in other systems down the line to increase efficiency, similar to a CHP system.

Although these systems are not practical for the DIY crowd, they are an important part of the energy production family. They can essentially replace fossil-fuel generation plants, without changing most of the energy transmission infrastructure. Several large-scale systems have been tested for durability and overall dependability and have performed quite well. In fact, when compared to fossil-fuel based systems, the maintenance and continued running costs are several times lower for these plants, making them economically viable.

A solar tower can be made in your back yard, but don't expect to get much out of it without careful panning and some advanced components. To experiment with the idea, take an old satellite dish (not a big one, unless you like burning your skin), cover it with aluminum foil, and aim it at the sun. The focal point will get hot, and depending on the quality of the foil, it might be enough to actually burn something. You will quickly discover that you will have to adjust the dish every few minutes to keep it pointed towards the sun. This simple experiment is great for heating a cup of coffee, and scaled up, it could power cities.

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