SPAC Solar Unicorn Heliogen sold for $10M

#1

Post by LMSolar » Tue, Jun 03, 2025, 6:44 PM UTC

SPAC Solar Unicorn Heliogen sold for $10M
axios.com

Re: SPAC Solar Unicorn Heliogen sold for $10M

#2

Post by LMSolar » Tue, Jun 03, 2025, 6:44 PM UTC

A dramatic decline for a formerly 'hot' solar thermal startup backed by Bill Gates and Bill Gross.

Re: SPAC Solar Unicorn Heliogen sold for $10M

#3

Post by pfdietz » Tue, Jun 03, 2025, 6:59 PM UTC

LMSolar wrote: post #2

A dramatic decline for a formerly 'hot' solar thermal startup backed by Bill Gates and Bill Gross.

Blown away by photovoltaics and heat pumps.

Re: SPAC Solar Unicorn Heliogen sold for $10M

#4

Post by LMSolar » Wed, Jun 04, 2025, 4:41 PM UTC

pfdietz wrote: post #3

LMSolar wrote: post #2

A dramatic decline for a formerly 'hot' solar thermal startup backed by Bill Gates and Bill Gross.

Blown away by photovoltaics and heat pumps.

IMHO I also think they erred in going for 'moon-shot' uses of solar thermal energy (hydrogen production, making cement) vs lower-temperature applications like plastic molding etc.

Re: SPAC Solar Unicorn Heliogen sold for $10M

#5

Post by pfdietz » Wed, Jun 04, 2025, 11:29 PM UTC

LMSolar wrote: post #4

pfdietz wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Blown away by photovoltaics and heat pumps.

IMHO I also think they erred in going for 'moon-shot' uses of solar thermal energy (hydrogen production, making cement) vs lower-temperature applications like plastic molding etc.

Low temperature heat would compete against things like industrial heat pumps. These can upgrade lower grade waste heat back to the intended temperature and generate multiple units of heat energy per unit of work energy. So, solar thermal loses advantage vs. PV here.