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Solar comes with a lot of challenges for large-scale usage as a replacement for coal, nuclear, etc. Really, the only thing better about solar at the moment is t
by kimbernator 5y ago
Solar comes with a lot of challenges for large-scale usage as a replacement for coal, nuclear, etc. Really, the only thing better about solar at the moment is that it is available.
First off, the daylight cycle is an obvious concern and there still isn't a great way to store solar energy during the day for use by cities (or generally large consumers) at night. Not to say it's not possible, but people are largely still trying to figure out what the right solution for that is.
Second, the startup requires a significant amount of land in advantageous locations for sunlight. There's a lot of the planet that just won't see the same advantages as others, and transporting energy long distances to them is another unsolved problem.
Lastly, and this is more for fun, but solar won't be as useful when we as a species aren't exclusively on earth anymore. Fusion would be a pretty nice step forward for things like space travel.
Both have a really high startup, but achieving fusion would mean 24/7 clean energy that works regardless of environment.
- belorn 5y agoAn other large drawback with solar is the required latitude. The further north it gets the fewer hours of sun light, and the energy you get is lower from the lower angle of attack. At the same time the energy needed for heating goes up during winter. Solar makes great sense for places where energy consumption is higher during the summer than during winter.
- formvoltron 5y agoI know a guy who lives in Canada pretty far north of the US border. He heats entirely with PV solar. He claims it's also way less expensive than other fossil fuel heat. Basically PV solar cost has plummeted to the point that it is conceivable this sort of thing is possible. No need for a battery here as he pumps his electrons directly into concrete slabs which then radiate heat at night.
- fragmede 5y agoPedantically, both are fusion, one's just 1 AU away.
- gtsop 5y ago> First off, the daylight cycle is an obvious concern and there still isn't a great way to store solar energy during the day for use by cities (or generally large consumers) at night. Not to say it's not possible, but people are largely still trying to figure out what the right solution for that is. Not a concern at all. Google renewable energy storage. It is there but there is profit merit, so it is not welcome
- kimbernator 5y agoCould you just be more specific about the storage method you're hoping I'll find on google? I know that there are a number of "viable" options for massive population centers in theory (or even in limited use today), but to call it a solved problem is, to my knowledge, incorrect
- formvoltron 5y agoWe will need an infinite impossibility drive to break the light barrier. ;-)
- socialdemocrat 5y agoStoring solar power for the night isn't hard. It has been possible to do so for decades with concentrated solar power (CSP). You heath up salt directly with the sun. The hot salt can then drive steam turbines at night. CSP has been dying for years however because Photovoltaics are cheaper. However, this is largely due to regulation. Solutions are picked based on price per kWh. CSP cannot compete on that with Solar cells. However today government have started modifying regulation so that a premium price is paid to those which can deliver power at night. CSP projects then become competitive since unlike solar cells they can deliver power at night. In the past CSP projects delivered power the whole day. Now they are increasingly only delivering power at night, thus getting the premium price. This goes to show that to get desired development in renewable energy it is crucial to get regulation right. Until now, regulation has not properly rewarded projects which can deliver power on demand. However once that is in place, thermal and cryogenic storage of power will become competitive and be built.