Most concentrating solar power plants use mirrors and Rankine cycle steam turbines to spin the generators. Large amounts of water can be involved - a touchy subject as most of these systems are proposed for desert areas. The trick is to use a dry cooling system, but many of these are expensive and reduce the efficiency of the power plant. The so called Heller system seems to be a high performance dry system that answers many objections. Climate Progress has some notes.
It should be pointed out that other forms of concentrated solar exist, but mirror farms with a tower and the steam turbine are usually the most cost effective,
I'd think that reduction in albedo effect from the capture of solar power is a more important thing.
Posted by: eco-conscious futurist | August 19, 2009 at 06:12