Nevada solar power plant will use molten salt to store heat energy in event that solar panels reduce their power output. The reserve heat will continue to drive steam turbines and generate electricity due to the thermal conductivity of molten salt. …
… “SolarReserve, a California-based company that says it has the answer: technology that uses salt to store the sun’s energy. And it is making its debut in the form of a solar plant just outside of Tonopah, Nevada. ” …
Via msnbc: Solar energy plant
SolarReserve Molten Salt Solar Technology: “The heated molten salt then flows into a thermal storage tank where it is stored, maintaining 98% thermal efficiency, and eventually pumped to a steam generator. ”