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In reply to the discussion: The total area of solar panels it would take to power the world, Europe, and Germany [View all]edhopper
(33,216 posts)85. This is so stupid
what would we do for power at night.
We would have to build two set ups on either side of the Earth and then lots of cable.
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The total area of solar panels it would take to power the world, Europe, and Germany [View all]
redqueen
Jun 2014
OP
It would be a huge army. I just don't understand some humans, not at all. One little spinning
RKP5637
Jun 2014
#89
LOL!! How did you get to "US invading for petroleum" or anything like that? WOW!!!
SkyDaddy7
Jun 2014
#193
I suspect the wires to run power around the world would be more expensive than
quakerboy
Jun 2014
#189
Yep, just a pipe dream with bribed politicians. And, there would be the solar wars. Humans don't
RKP5637
Jun 2014
#139
Pedantic: Probably need to quadruple the "world" box to cover transmission losses. (nt)
jeff47
Jun 2014
#4
Do you have something to back up that assertion? I would be interested in more info on this subject.
Tuesday Afternoon
Jun 2014
#22
so then, USA would be better off to locate their panels our SW deserts.
Tuesday Afternoon
Jun 2014
#43
Big plants could be put in the desert, but wide spread individual installatios are best
FrodosPet
Jun 2014
#67
well... now don't give me a hard time on this.. wouldn't have to store a ton of it, because
Voice for Peace
Jun 2014
#183
I wouldn't lose much in transmission if I put solar panels on my roof here in Southern
JDPriestly
Jun 2014
#33
A friend of mine lives in so cal and had solar installed for free basically
Rainforestgoddess
Jun 2014
#96
Probably more than that.. in fact its not really practical over a few thousand miles.
DCBob
Jun 2014
#37
That seems to be discussed in the third section of the thesis - pages 33 to 49 of the linked pdf...
xocet
Jun 2014
#41
I think this is a metaphorical placement. An illustration. The facilities would be placed closer to
newthinking
Jun 2014
#114
link to "Eco-balance of a Solar Electricity Transmission from North Africa to Europe"
sl8
Jun 2014
#19
They all sound so smart to be completely missing the point the way they are...
Squinch
Jun 2014
#113
Put collecting ponds under the panel arrays, collect the wastewater from them, filter it,
Zorra
Jun 2014
#24
And if history is an indicator, nobody has thought of how and where to store the waste yet. n/t
A Simple Game
Jun 2014
#26
See what I mean, even well intentioned people can't get it right every time! n/t
A Simple Game
Jun 2014
#32
Western or southwestern facing panels are often more financially attractive
kristopher
Jun 2014
#125
A bit misleading in that Im sure it does not take into account distribution losses.
DCBob
Jun 2014
#18
Yes, they would have to be located across the globe within a few thousand miles of consumption..
DCBob
Jun 2014
#42
Yes but those actions will only lead to a slightly more hospitable ecosystem
raouldukelives
Jun 2014
#20
Much more realistic. That results in an area about 4 times larger than the one at the top.
DCBob
Jun 2014
#53
"Its still quite remarkable though how relatively small a space it would require."
redqueen
Jun 2014
#54
RECOMMEND short interview with Stanford Professor Mark Jacobson in GASLAND 2 + following overview:
proverbialwisdom
Jun 2014
#60
I object to solar strongly when it is sited on fragile, previously undeveloped desert environments.
hunter
Jun 2014
#77
Where there is a will there is a way, and there is big lobby that doesn't want us to have solar.....
nolabels
Jun 2014
#115
I find that extremely hard to believe. Does this come from a creditable source? n/t
doc03
Jun 2014
#79
Snort. "And later on World News, 6 billion people trip on their way to the bathroom" n/t
jtuck004
Jun 2014
#119
There's this magical storage device called a battery. Ground breaking stuff.
Gravitycollapse
Jun 2014
#120
Even if they never generate energy, shouldn't the polar icecaps have solar panels?
SleeplessinSoCal
Jun 2014
#87
That's what I was thinking. Don't know how to keep them from blowing away though. n/t
SleeplessinSoCal
Jun 2014
#134
We are going to have to start somewhere (but really, it's already actually going on)
nolabels
Jun 2014
#135
I am not a fossil fuel fan but for the last 37 years fixing trucks all day long that burn the stuff
nolabels
Jun 2014
#168
Nobody here is ignoring cost - solar plus storage is already reaching grid parity
bananas
Jun 2014
#163
"California could follow in 2017, New York and Arizona in 2018, and many other states soon after."
bananas
Jun 2014
#169
Elon Musk: "This is why I think solar power will be the primary long term solution"
bananas
Jun 2014
#164
Looks like Algeria has the potential to be the number 1 new world power. (literally)
Kablooie
Jun 2014
#111
Your little link parade would make sense if posted in an anti-nuclear power thread.
redqueen
Jun 2014
#157
People, and their need for panacea-like solutions ... so predictable ... yet so sad ...
brett_jv
Jun 2014
#174