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garybeck

(9,927 posts)
Thu Mar 14, 2013, 10:56 AM Mar 2013

A solar graphic that says a lot! [View all]



just imagine how much smaller that square could be if we threw in some wind generators and energy conservation.

On edit: A few people are asking to see the math so here goes. there are many ways you could calculate this figure. I've done it several times. The 100 x 100 square is actually based on module efficiency from 10 years ago, so the truth is actually a bit smaller. There are a bunch of variables that can give you slightly different answers but your answer will be in the same range no matter how you look at it. Here's one example that actually ends up with a square just 63 miles on each side. See if this makes any sense, let me know if you have any questions

Annual US energy consumption
3,886,400,000,000,000 wh/year
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_electricity_consumption

3,886,400,000,000,000 wh/year
/365

~10,648,000,000,000 wh/day
/6 peak sun hours per day in Nevada

1,775,000,000,000 watts
/220 watts

8,070,000,000 220-watt modules

each module 62" x 32"
1984 sq inches
13.8 sq ft

13.8 sq ft x 8,070,000,000 modules =
111,366,000,000 sq ft
= 3,994.7 sq miles
= 63 miles x 63 miles

also here's a quote from the Dept. of energy:
with today’s commercial systems, the
solar energy resource in
a 100-by-100-mile area
of Nevada could supply
the United States with
all of its electricity. If
these systems were
distributed to the
50 states, the land
required from each
state would be an area
of about 17 by 17 miles.
This area is available
now from parking lots,
rooftops, and vacant land. In fact, 90% of
America’s current electricity needs could be
supplied with solar electric systems built on
the estimated 5 million acres of abandoned
industrial sites in our nation’s cities

source:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/32529.pdf
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That is a brilliant graphic. Damn. byronius Mar 2013 #1
i dig your profile pic. is that Abbie Hoffman? garybeck Mar 2013 #3
Yes indeed, sir, mine as well. byronius Mar 2013 #18
ever see "steal this movie?" garybeck Mar 2013 #32
Many times. Read every book he's written over and over. byronius Mar 2013 #45
Well, the oil companies wouldn't approve. Octafish Mar 2013 #2
I thought Obama was going to put them back on green for victory Mar 2013 #36
No, you heard them. Octafish Mar 2013 #38
Corporate America... 99Forever Mar 2013 #4
How big would it have to be to replace all of our natural gas and petrolium use? tridim Mar 2013 #5
that is another story because garybeck Mar 2013 #8
I'll bite. After the energy is generated how do you move it to the rest of the country 1-Old-Man Mar 2013 #6
the graphic just shows the area required for production. in reality garybeck Mar 2013 #9
Fiber optic cables? Shankapotomus Mar 2013 #10
i'm not aware of fiber optics carrying power. I thought it was data. garybeck Mar 2013 #12
I'm pretty sure fiber cables Shankapotomus Mar 2013 #16
yup. I don't think that translates well to moving large amounts of power garybeck Mar 2013 #17
You don't need to move the electricity Shankapotomus Mar 2013 #19
Germany has managed to figure it out green for victory Mar 2013 #33
No. We are too close to fusion to put THAT much into solar. Occulus Mar 2013 #7
Just so I understand a bit about fusion, dreampunk Mar 2013 #21
Our solar array is just about the same size as our travel trailer. Yavapai Mar 2013 #11
very cool. you're doing it the "old school" way garybeck Mar 2013 #13
well, we could have the grid brought to our property, for just $152,000 :-] Yavapai Mar 2013 #14
and that's why the solar market has skyrocketed in the last 10 years garybeck Mar 2013 #15
We just contracted for a 6kw PV system. SeattleVet Mar 2013 #20
THANKS SEATTLE VET dreampunk Mar 2013 #25
Sounds like a nice outfit, but dreampunk Mar 2013 #23
grid tie is cheaper, not more expensive garybeck Mar 2013 #31
Storage and transmission are still the big roadblocks to this pediatricmedic Mar 2013 #22
and just think how many jobs would be created NewJeffCT Mar 2013 #24
Right? DITTO stuntcat Mar 2013 #40
A little idea from India. ChazInAz Mar 2013 #26
I've always thought the oil companies and Govs Lobo27 Mar 2013 #27
GREAT DISCUSSION THREAD! dreampunk Mar 2013 #28
Imagine if everyone's taxes went up by 0.5% to create and maintain a national solar-electric system. SamReynolds Mar 2013 #29
Spain gets 35% from renewables and they say for every dollar they spend on it garybeck Mar 2013 #30
Olmedilla de Alarcón is quite impressive green for victory Mar 2013 #34
not necessary if trillions of dollars weren't spent bombing and invading other countries green for victory Mar 2013 #35
Doesn't work out cheaper for those with long money and they call the plays. TheKentuckian Mar 2013 #41
I imagine that it might work out for them. SamReynolds Mar 2013 #42
I don't disagree it would be a boon to the overall economy but when cost come out of taxes TheKentuckian Mar 2013 #43
"Least able to shoulder it" SamReynolds Mar 2013 #44
K & R Quantess Mar 2013 #37
If we hadn't invested so ridiculously much in fossil fuels and made them so powerful, stuntcat Mar 2013 #39
Yet all they want to promote is nukes Generic Other Mar 2013 #46
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