ZDNet reports that eSolar is relying on the power of software to reduce costs at the power plants. The power plants comprise many small mirrors that much be automatically programmed to follow the sun and harness as much light as possible:

In one 46-megawatt eSolar plant, there are 200,000 flat mirrors, each individually controlled by a microprocessor for the optimal angle. In an interview, Gross predicts that the “more software, less steel” trend will continue in solar, which will help get the cost of solar electricity down.

Its great to see that even in ground-breaking industries like clean energy, software continues to play such an integral role.

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Pasadena-based eSolar has created the world’s first solar powerplant that is competitive with fossil fuels. Their plan is to build more of these power plants throughout California.

eSolar’s approach to solar power is very simple & innovative (a trademark of just about everything Idealab produces) and so their business will scale exceptionally well. eSolar also has one of the most respected management teams in the industry.

In the video below, Bill Gross spoke about this technology at the 2003 TED conference.