Donuel,
re the solar energy NPR report - is what I mentioned above,

www.Stirlingenergy.com - is still the most efficient way of converting solar power -

(also the www.Newscientist.com site mentioned a patent on a solar energy drone plane that uses the same Stirling (not sterling) engine as above.
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despite the US opting out of the Kyoto accord, and doing as much to resist the 'Son of Kyoto' conference that is starting in Canada this week - many advances in wind and solar happened recently thanks to Kyoto..
cheers
Peter