HARNESSING THE SUN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 179, 27 January 1912, Page 9

HARNESSING THE SUN.

AMERICAN INVENTOR WHO HAS MADE IT WORK. After many years of experiments, a method at last has been, discovered of harnessing the power of the sun. In a recent number of the Engineer there is an interesting account of a "sun ! engine," the invention of Mr. Frank Shuman, of Philadelphia. The engine, it is said, develops thirty-two horse-power during the hottest part of the day, which gradually decreases* as the afternoon passes. "Of course," says the Engineer, "everyone recognises, and no one more than Mr. Shuman, that it lias a limited scope. "No one expects to see sun plants in use in England, or even in Europe; but in tropical regions, say in twenty degrees on either side of the Equator, it becomes a practical proposition. "For in that <u'ea not only may plenty of sunshine be relied upon, but oil and coal are expensive, and where coal or its equivalent cannot be purchased for less than ten shillings a ton the sunpower plant has its chance."Another thing is also to be remarked. Sun-power, like wind-power, being inconstant, the most profitable use to which it can be put is pumping, and in tropical countries a great need for waterraising machinery for irrigation purposes exists."