Here’s an innovative solar power design. An Israeli company, AORA Solar, has developed a modular distributed solar thermal (DST) technology that consists of a series of connectable base units (100kw e each). The company’s “Tulip” hybrid system offers scalable utility-grade power for both on-grid and stand alone applications, with each unit capable of powering up to 50 homes.

The design features an array of mirrors that focus sunlight on the Tulip tower, which contains a series of microturbines. The hot air generated by the focused sunlight is then used to power the Tulip’s microturbines, creating electricity. The hybrid system is capable of generating power around the clock, even at night and in heavy cloud coverage by using alternative fuels to continue powering its microturbines when sunlight is unavailable. Alternative fuels can include natural gas and a variety of biofuels.

The modularity of the system allows for quick, phased construction and placement near the power grid, business, or factory utilizing the electricity produced. Unlike other solar thermal systems that use steam to drive large turbines, the Tulip uses hot air to power microturbines, requiring just 8% of the water that is typically consumed by a steam-powered system.

The company currently has active power generating sites in Samar, Israel and Almeria Spain, with test sites coming to the Arizona desert soon.