Solar Two is unique in this country as the only major solar power-generating plant with a central collecting tower. The central receiver is a 200 foot tall tower onto which nearly 2,000 reflectors focus the sun's energy, heating up a nitrate brine which produces steam and then electricity. Each of the reflectors is positioned automatically with a heliostat to track the moving sun. A large concrete pad, littered with shell casings and blasted debris, is nearly all that remains of the World War Two training base at the remote desert town of Rice. The rest of the town has been abandoned, and vandalized into nonexistence by passers-by, mostly weekend warriors on the road between LA and the popular recreation areas of Lake Havasu.
Rice is also the location of a recent cargo train wreck.
Desert Center Hundreds of tall date palm trees have been planted in unusual patterns at the Interstate town of Desert Center. Many of the 70 foot tall trees, which were originally grown by King Gilette, inventor of the safety razor, are now dying due to irrigation problems. Go to the CLUI Home Page Click here to leave your comments.