What was the first solar thermal plant?

The first solar thermal power plant was developed in the 1910s, known as the "Solar One" or "The Solar Energy Company’s Power Plant," located in California. It used a large array of mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a boiler, generating steam that powered a steam engine. Although it was a pioneering effort, it only operated for a few years and was eventually decommissioned. This early venture laid the groundwork for future developments in solar thermal technology.