# Nighttime Solar Power Molten Salt Solar Heat Storage Helps Generate Electricity 24/7 in Sicily By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-07-23 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-heat-storage References: [guardian](http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/22/first-molten-salt-solar-power) & [dailytech](http://www.dailytech.com/Nevada+and+Sicily+Look+to+Molten+Salt+for+Solar+Storage/article19212.htm) Archimede, a combination gas and solar power plant in Sicily, is able to produce solar electricity around the clock thanks its huge molten salt solar heat storage capacity. The gas-solar power plant combines [concentrated solar power](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/utility-solar-projects) (CSP) collection with solar heat storage, then uses the stored heat to run power generators at night. Molten salt for solar heat storage is more efficient than other heat-storing methods. The ability to release heat to run [power-generating turbines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/power-solutions-for-ai-data-center) at night greatly reduces the need for natural gas and increases the viability of solar as a power source. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Molten Salt Solar Heat Storage:** Using molten salt for solar heat storage increases the viability of solar as a power source. - **Concentrated Solar Power (CSP):** Combining concentrated solar power (CSP) collection with solar heat storage allows for solar electricity production 24/7. - **Reduced Reliance on Natural Gas:** The ability to run power generators at night using stored solar heat greatly reduces the need for natural gas. ### Who This Affects Most - **Renewable Energy:** The molten salt solar heat storage technology presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the renewable energy industry. - **Power Generation:** The combination of concentrated solar power (CSP) and solar heat storage can disrupt the power generation industry by enabling continuous electricity production. - **Energy Storage:** The use of molten salt for solar heat storage creates disruptive innovation opportunities in the energy storage sector. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Semi-Fixed Energy Storage Units](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunshare-technology.md) - [Modular Energy Storage Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kohler-power-reserve.md) - [Home Energy Storage Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-energy-storage-system.md) - [Heat-Storing Seaweed Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swansea-university.md) - [Consolidated Photovoltaic Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photovoltaic-systems.md) - [Balcony-Friendly Solar Power Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anker-solar-bank-2-e1600-pro.md) - [Solar-Powered Blankets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-blanket.md) - [Off-Grid Solar-Powered Saunas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thermasol.md) - [Efficient Scalable Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perovskia-solar.md)