4 ms·
Sun radiation is limited. You get ~1.4 kW/m2 at 100% efficiency. You need enormous plots of land to get anywhere close to what a small nuclear plant can produce
by muyuu 13y ago
Sun radiation is limited. You get ~1.4 kW/m2 at 100% efficiency. You need enormous plots of land to get anywhere close to what a small nuclear plant can produce.
Renewables will only get so far if we don't stop increasing our energy demands exponentially every year. Since that seems unlikely, we will produce every single way we can.
- SuperChihuahua 13y agoThat Elon Musk guy argued that if we installed solar panels all over the safety zones around a nuclear reactor, then those panels would generate more energy than the power plant.
- muyuu 13y agoIf that's a profitable investment I'm sure it will be done.
- marze 13y agoElectric demand has been dropping for the last five or so years in the US. Not increasing exponentially. You could cover 1/4 of the roof area in the US with solar panels and have enough power to close all other power plants. Add panels over parking lots and you get exponential demand back.
- digikata 13y agoConveniently enough, the land for solar interception can be dual use with structures we already use and will build.
- muyuu 13y agoSure. As I said, we will produce every way we can. Talking about the long term.