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Showing Original Post only (View all)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 todays 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
Americas current electricity needs could be
supplied with solar electric systems built on
the estimated 5 million acres of abandoned
industrial sites in our nations cities
source:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/32529.pdf
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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
Imagine if everyone's taxes went up by 0.5% to create and maintain a national solar-electric system.
SamReynolds
Mar 2013
#29
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 don't disagree it would be a boon to the overall economy but when cost come out of taxes
TheKentuckian
Mar 2013
#43
If we hadn't invested so ridiculously much in fossil fuels and made them so powerful,
stuntcat
Mar 2013
#39