Can solar energy power our future? Maybe one day, but not yet

It is considered noble to dream of an alternative energy future, I myself enjoy thinking here, but I also realize that the law of unintended consequences is as real as Murphy and that must be taken into account as well. Too often, dreamers dismiss reality and the laws of physics without considering the road ahead, and for this reason I have recommended the book; Robert Muller’s “Physics for Future Presidents” to more than a few people in our think tank.

Let’s take this conversation to the next level and talk about the sun and the potentials of solar energy using our current technology. You see, there was an interesting article posted on Physorg (dot) com on August 6, 2013 titled; “The report confirms the land use requirements of solar power: 1,000 homes would require 32 acres,” and it seems to me that if this is so, then solar power cannot work for our needs today. Now it was recently debated that in essence it is feasible, here is the topic of the debate:

“The article indicates that 1000 houses require 32 acres, so that’s 0.032 acres per home. 1 acre = 4047 m ^ 2, so that’s 130 m ^ 2 per home, much less than the roof area of ​​a typical house Do we have enough space for solar energy? I don’t see the need to allocate more space than we have already covered with houses, office buildings and parking lots. And transmission lines are already reaching these kinds of places. “

Yes, but current technology is not sufficient for that level of efficiency. In fact, many of the realities of solar energy on roofs can look good on paper, but they don’t turn out right, roofs require special alignment to match the path of the Sun, in addition to the shade of vegetation, etc. ., is not as stellar as it was formulated. And I must ask; What about Los Angeles? I don’t see 32 acres for every 1000 houses of space anywhere, and for solar power to work, you need it for big cities, where a high percentage of homes must be efficient.

Now someday when solar technology is more efficient, say 40% and you can coat playgrounds, roads, buildings and spray them like paint, which may be possible at those efficiency levels, then it will work in the city. But if you put the panels on solar farms in the desert, it could cost billions to build transmission lines and land use problems are everywhere, they can’t even make solar farms work with all the regulations, environmental restrictions. , costs and bureaucracy, and look, I’m not a naysayer, I’m just saying. Consider all of this and think about it.