Possibly the earliest efforts for large scale utility power from solar began with Israel's solar ponds from the Dead Sea.
There seems to be no technical or economic reason why solar pond produced power and water is not done more often. The reasons seem to be geographical and political.
Umm, I would say cost, resources needed, footprint, various technological challenges might be of some consequence.
Ormat, the Israeli "pure" geothermal play on the NYSE, still dabbles in solar occasionally and has a minor sideline of converting waste heat to electricity.
The "Catch 22' is that scientists don't bother with this technology, don't research it, and don't apply for research grants, because it is well understood, routine, and 'low tech'. So it does not get publicity !
Uh huh. Could've fooled me.
In brief, the cost of power produced by a solar pond is about $180/MWh - about twice that of wind ($20-60 /Mwh- in a windy area) and three times that of coal fired power ($40/MWh). Photovoltaic (solar cells) combined with batteries to provide 24hour supply cost around $1000/MWh. Solar ponds come in at about three times the cost of wind power per watt but they are much more reliable - delivering power 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. ( For comparison , retail consumers in Adelaide pay around $200/MWh)
Let's see now. The cost of power from a
low temperature spring NE of Fairbanks, Alaska, that keeps an ice museum frozen in summer with warm water, among other things, is estimated to have an operating cost of 5 cents/kwHr and hopes are to reduce that to 1 cent/kwHr. The math don't look so hot to me for the cost of power from solar ponds but maybe I lost a digit or two. If I keep doing that I could be fingerless and toeless. -( [Kindly note: the quoted site is Australian and presumably uses Australian dollars for currency. At the present time I haven't corrected for the small disparity between Australian and U.S. currency. I, of course, use the latter.]
Consider this as little more than an introduction. Solar ponds have not advanced as once expected. Solar towers, which are also quite venerable, are all the rage currently alongside solar troughs. Neither are all that promising either IMO but I expect to look a bit at them later. Any may disagree as they see fit - as always.