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