PV Gap

Joy Said:

How much power can solar energy supply?

We Answered:

All of it...depending on where you live. All of the southern southern states and the southwest states get enough sun to power all the essential non-industrial needs of those states. Compressed air, molten salt and hydrogen technology can even supply power at night. Some of the power could come from centralized power production and some from individual solar arrays. It's very doable. The technology exists, all it would take is the political leadership and a favorable tax venue to make it happen. For what the coal industry says that it would cost to capture a significant part of their CO2 production we could begin a crash program to produce the needed infrastructure to 'go solar' in a big way. Burning natural gas will require many billions of dollars to pipe it down from Alaska...money better spent on a solar energy program. So not why do it? Answer: The coal and gas folks SELL coal and gas. Taking a big chunk out of their profit margin isn't in their interest...no kiddin'! Solar and wind means that NO fuel is burned, and the new industries using made in America production and American workers would be a major step in restoring our economy. In a past issue of Popular Mechanics there was an article about solar....a hundred square miles of solar panels could generate all the electricity we could use. That's only 10 miles on a side, but of course it doesn't have to be all in one place. In my town of 50,000 people we have almost that much acreage on our rooftops. Solar and wind along with hydro electric generation and some backup from natural gas would be enough to get the job done, if coupled with some real conservation measures and elimination of wasteful practices. We could do it...too bad we won't, at least until the last chunk of coal and the last cubic foot of gas is burned. Bummer for us!