Solar energy 'power towers' to light up California

CNET.com - Utility Southern California Edison on Wednesday announced a giant solar energy contract with BrightSource Energy, which could eventually result in powering 845,000 homes with the sun's energy.

Through a series of seven projects, SCE intends to purchase up to 1,300 megawatts of electricity from BrightSource Energy's solar towers that use heat to produce electricity.

Although the companies didn't provide a price tag for the deal, it's one of the biggest solar energy contracts to date in the U.S. and a validation of solar tower technology. The project still needs to be approved by regulators and financed. (continue here)