Dish prototype

Infinia, which designs and manufactures motors, is developing a solar-electric dish that will generate electricity. The system will include a "free-piston" Stirling engine that uses changes in air pressure to drive a motor, generating electricity. The dish concentrates sunlight on the engine suspended in front of it. A prototype system is shown here. Stirling engines were invented in the 19th century as an alternative to steam engines.

October 25, 2006 3:59 AM PDT

Photo by: Infinia