Check: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91xuicDPAjI&feature=related

The Caretaker is offering a prize to whoever builds and demonstrates a solar-electric generator of best design, good efficiency and ease/safety of operation. The youtube video gives hints on how to.

Prize to be announced when some serious entries are recieved.

In this race, no one can loose.

Also check Sterling engines and Thermoacoustic generators.

I'm buying photovoltaics and planning to build or buy a heliostat/Fresnel lens, heat engine, alternator/generator array. Suns light to electricity. Want lots of current? Build more or larger mirrors and engine assemblies. Sensible thing is to get ones electrical needs minimised while still enjoying cooling, radio, TV, computer, lighting, tools etc.

A photovoltaic plant costs millions. These systems can be built in a good workshop. The mirror and fresnel lenses may have to be purchased. When heads knock together we can figure out a way to make concave parabolic mirrors.

One way is to recycle satellite dishes and put a hi tech reflective sheet over the front surface.

Large arrays are now running in various places. My interest is in home scale units built on the Rock.

Beware the focussed sun can burn skin and blind!

With large mirrors and fresnel lenses metals can be melted!

Please keep children away from these devices and the focussed rays of the sun!