"PV technology can meet electricity demand on any scale. The solar energy resource in a 100-mile-square area of Nevada could supply the United States with all its electricity (about 800 gigawatts) using modestly efficient (10%) commercial PV modules."
The sad part of that is the cost in materials, as well as the on-going security threat (thievery, vandalism/sabotage) that would entail, as well as on-going exposure to the elements. Then, of course, you'd have the eco-wackos telling you that you can't disturb the migration habits of the Kangaroo mouse, or SW Rattlesnake.. so it would never survive the EPA mandated Environmental Impact statement..
It would effectively require an executive order by the President.
But more encouraging, and contrary to my original belief (as I just discovered via a flurry of "googling"), it would seem that long-distance distribution of power from such a facility would be cost efficient and feasible at higher voltages. Sometimes it's far cheaper to import power from long-distance than to produce it locally:
en.wikipedia.org
Thus, I think this is an interesting concept.. However, I would suggest using CPV in order to limit the actual footprint, as well as to maximize the solar conversion efficiencies. Additional solar thermal and other technologies could be part of the program as well, to include off-peak storage considerations so power would be available for night-time use.
Hawk |
