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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group
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To: Zeuspaul who wrote (132907)5/13/2004 11:23:57 PM
From: Sig  Read Replies (1) of 281500
 
<<How many solar cells does $100 billion buy?>>

Taking a gross cut at the figures, solar cells cost about $4 /watt
$100 bil would buy enough to produce about 1/100 the amount produced by all electric untilities in the US.
That would assume 6 hours of sunshine average per day, which would mean location in a sunny state.
The power output is also direct current which needs conversion to A/C .
You could add another cost of $100 bil for installation, controls, and paperwork.

And as the sun goes down the lights go out and machines run slower, and slower, unless the petroleum fed emergency generators kick in.

And dont forget the hailstorms (very common here)which can destroy the panels. Or an accumulation of dust to reduce the output.

Altogether, a very expensive alternative but useful for special purposes

Sig



Sig
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