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US Becomes Top Wind Producer; Solar Next

Posted by kdawson on from the beneath-our-wings dept.

SpuriousLogic sends along a SciAm piece that begins, "The United States overtook Germany as the biggest producer of wind power last year, new figures showed, and will likely take the lead in solar power this year, analysts said on Monday. Even before an expected 'Obama bounce' from a new President who has vowed to boost clean energy, US wind power capacity surged 50 percent last year to 25 gigwatts — enough to power more than five million homes."

11 of 388 comments (clear)

  1. The US was always the World's top wind producer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    and always will be.

    Oh, you mean that kind of wind?

    1. Re:The US was always the World's top wind producer by Ihmhi · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well, our politicians were always the best at putting out hot air, so it's logical that we would eventually overtake other countries on wind as well.

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      Random Thoughts From A Diseased Mind (Not For Dummies)
    2. Re:The US was always the World's top wind producer by Don853 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Sorry, I'll cut back on the dairy.

  2. Re:Makes you wonder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Of course it's necessary; if they could get all the congressmen and senators to speak all at the same time, I think they could at least double the amount of wind produced. :)

  3. For those of you keeping track at home... by SwabTheDeck · · Score: 5, Funny

    US wind power capacity surged 50 percent last year to 25 gigwatts

    ...that's 20.66116 flux capacitors and at least as many Libraries of Congress.

  4. 1.21 gigwatts! by jabithew · · Score: 1, Funny

    US wind power capacity surged 50 percent last year to 25 gigwatts

    I wasn't aware that live music had its own unit of energy consumption! Perhaps someone could tell me how to scale it to something SI, like gigawatts? I can't find the unit in Google calculator.

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    All intents and purposes. Not intensive purposes.
  5. Re:Best discussions ever! by ZombieWomble · · Score: 2, Funny

    To be fair, I think it's more like 45% "America are teh ghay!" and 50% "Hur hur, farts are funny!"

  6. Re:Makes you wonder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    so hot air + cold harsh reality = lots of wind ?

  7. Re:Makes you wonder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    It's pretty obvious to anyone in or near germany, their politicians produce so much hot air that it's a shame that they can't power the world with it...

  8. Re:Makes you wonder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    They shouldn't be using huge towers. they should be using the newer helix models. They're more stable in turbulent wind conditions and can be plunked pretty much anywhere.

    Ya, but who ever heard of tilting with a helix?

  9. Five million homes by operagost · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or one of Al Gore's.

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    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.