Solar Electricity - Cogenmicro solar heat engine - prototype 1

This video shows the first prototype of the solar heat engine developed by cogen microsystems in Adelaide, South Australia. The engine uses evacuated tube solar collectors to collect thermal energy, and converts the energy to electricity using a modified rankine cycle, while at the same time allowing the heat energy out the other side to be used for heating hot water storage. The overall aim is to make solar electricity available to every home at costs below PV panels, and provide solar hot water heating in the same system to reduce usage of electical and gas hot water systems. Currently cogen microsystems is targeting the product at larger scale applications such as local swimming pools where the system will have a greater visibility to the public. Prototype 1 is due for field testing at a renewable energy display centre setup by the local council.