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Existing Solar Tech Could Power Entire US, Says NREL

Posted by Soulskill on from the could-but-won't dept.

derekmead writes "A new report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory finds that solar holds more potential to generate more power (PDF) than any other clean energy source. The NREL broke things down into four groups: urban and rural utility-scale photovoltaics (giant solar plants, basically) as well as rooftop solar and concentrated mirror arrays. Between those technologies, which are all already on the market, the NREL reckons there's a proven potential for solar to hit a capacity of 200,000 gigawatts in the United States alone. For some perspective, 1 gigawatt is what a single nuclear power plant might generate, and it's more than most coal plants. A gigawatt of capacity is enough to power approximately 700,000 homes."

3 of 589 comments (clear)

  1. We will get solar when there's a profit. by fustakrakich · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In a capitalist society, abundance is not a feature.

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  2. Re:duh by Fished · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Seriously, building such things is not a "cost" but an investment. Just allocate the whole cost of the past several Middle-Eastern wars to your power bill and see how it goes for ya.

    --
    "He who would learn astronomy, and other recondite arts, let him go elsewhere. " -- John Calvin, commenting on Genesis 1
  3. Re:Cost is important! by ceoyoyo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No, it doesn't. So long as the solar panels pay for themselves, they're viable. It may not be viable for an individual to put them on his roof (mostly because they are undervalued in the market, if what you say is true) but that has nothing to do with whether you can go and build solar power plants to replace coal, nuclear, gas and oil.

    Just because one specific type of solar installation might not be perfect (for you) doesn't mean solar itself won't work.