Chris Smolinski wrote:
>> 1. Establish a huge solar concentrator, with a 10-mile  area of sunlight
>> concentrators.
>>     
>
> The environmentalists will tie this up in the court system for 
> decades. Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone.
>
>   
Nope, got that one covered. This would be in the middle of an Indian 
Reservation, where the
land is worthless, and almost nothing grows. No trees to hug, I'm 
afraid. (Most of AZ is Indian
Reservation. I guess you didn't know.) The Indians will provide a very 
reasonable lease.

Actually, the shade provided will attract animals and birds. Presently 
the only shade is an occasional
cactus.

>> A plant of this size can supply the needs of the entire USA from one
>> site. No new nukes,
>> no use of petroleum to generate electricity anymore. The headaches of
>> the past are ended.
>>     
>
> 100 sq miles (I assume that is what you mean) is about 3 x 10^8 sq 
> meters. We get about a kW of solar power when the Sun is shining. So 
> we'd get 2.3 x 10^12 kWh a year, if the Sun shined 24 hours a day and 
> you were 100% efficient. (Please check my math) We presently use 
> about 4 x 10^12 kWh a year of electricity. Throw in the fact that the 
> Sun doesn't shine at night, and various conversion inefficiencies, 
> and you'd probably need more like 1000 sq miles.
>
>
>
>   
Busy today. I'll get your math fixed  later, rest assured. a 10-mile 
square of land; 10 sq miles is not
quite enough. Based on 9 hrs of sunlight per day, if I recall.

--Bob
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist