Comments on: How Much Solar Energy Could Power The World? http://donklephant.com/2007/04/06/how-much-solar-energy-could-power-the-world/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:18:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: helmac http://donklephant.com/2007/04/06/how-much-solar-energy-could-power-the-world/#comment-309788 helmac Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:13:07 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/04/06/how-much-solar-energy-could-power-the-world/#comment-309788 I like solar power, but we don't get enough of it where I live in the UK. However I agree that it is certainly the way forward for the world as a whole. Transmission costs, and the blight on the landscape caused by transmission lines are problems which will require resolution if power is to be centralised. In Scotland there is an abundant supply of wind, hence the building of wind farms to harness it. However the debate comes when plans are lodged to transmit the power to the towns and cities across pristine and scenic areas using pylons. Underground transmission lines would be more acceptable but the cost is substantially increased. A mix of energy sources would seem to be the answer. I like solar power, but we don’t get enough of it where I live in the UK. However I agree that it is certainly the way forward for the world as a whole. Transmission costs, and the blight on the landscape caused by transmission lines are problems which will require resolution if power is to be centralised. In Scotland there is an abundant supply of wind, hence the building of wind farms to harness it. However the debate comes when plans are lodged to transmit the power to the towns and cities across pristine and scenic areas using pylons. Underground transmission lines would be more acceptable but the cost is substantially increased. A mix of energy sources would seem to be the answer.

]]> By: sleipner http://donklephant.com/2007/04/06/how-much-solar-energy-could-power-the-world/#comment-302885 sleipner Tue, 10 Apr 2007 06:30:49 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/04/06/how-much-solar-energy-could-power-the-world/#comment-302885 Solar in the long run definitely seems to have the greatest potential for generating clean, cheap energy, however the biggest problem with the above proposal is transmission. Until we get to the point of being able to transfer power across thousands of miles without the huge energy loss that transmission currently incurs, not to mention the huge and expensive network of transmission lines that would be necessary, having just a few localized solar power plants would not really solve the problem. However, the point that solar can and could be a viable addition to our current energy policy is valid, if only we could only loosen the stranglehold of Big Energy on our government's policy and nads, and should be pursued as quickly as possible. Solar in the long run definitely seems to have the greatest potential for generating clean, cheap energy, however the biggest problem with the above proposal is transmission. Until we get to the point of being able to transfer power across thousands of miles without the huge energy loss that transmission currently incurs, not to mention the huge and expensive network of transmission lines that would be necessary, having just a few localized solar power plants would not really solve the problem.

However, the point that solar can and could be a viable addition to our current energy policy is valid, if only we could only loosen the stranglehold of Big Energy on our government’s policy and nads, and should be pursued as quickly as possible.

]]> By: bob in fl http://donklephant.com/2007/04/06/how-much-solar-energy-could-power-the-world/#comment-302613 bob in fl Mon, 09 Apr 2007 23:46:02 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/04/06/how-much-solar-energy-could-power-the-world/#comment-302613 Well, according to the map, Africa would do well with solar power. But if anyone notices, most of the red zones are in the open ocean. Doesn't sound like a scenario that could produce all the world's energy needs. It could reduce the need for other, dirtier, forms of power for local areas. Well, according to the map, Africa would do well with solar power. But if anyone notices, most of the red zones are in the open ocean. Doesn’t sound like a scenario that could produce all the world’s energy needs. It could reduce the need for other, dirtier, forms of power for local areas.

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