Quote:
Originally posted by Wrong Robot
I'm particularly interested about Solar arrays in space. I remember reading not too long ago that it would be feasible to construct enormous array(s) in space and beam the power harvested from them back to earth via lasers or something.
Pretty interesting concept, the benefits obviously would be that the solar arrays would get 24/7 exposure to sun and would be unaffected by atmosphere changes so they'd be far more efficient.
Yes, you can use microwaves to beam the energy down to earth. You would place a microwave reveiver in the desert where there isn't much of an impact.
Space based solar power currelntly does not work for several reasons:
1. Lifting solar cells into orbit is extremely expensive. On the order of $1000 per pound.
2. People get scared when they hear about microwave beams because they think that you will accidentally vaporize small cities.
3. Environmentalists are concerned with the impact of long term low level microwave radiation on lizards in the desert.
It is more cost effective to put solar cells on the desert floor than in space.
Quote:
Originally posted by Wrong Robot
Of course, The kicker is that there is no magic bean to replace oil, oil *is* the magic bean, the only real way to ease oil consumption is with widespread adoption of as many different alternative sources as possible. put your eggs in many baskets and all that.
Well, the reason why oil looks like a magic bean is because it is so commonplace and has a large and well developed infrastructure that has been developed around it. This will change if something becomes more economically viable.
Solar cells also have a well developed infrastructure, specifically the power grid. The same power grid that delivers power to your house can also take power from your house and send it to another person's house.
with air conditioning. lol 6 gallon refill, the tank is 10 gallons but we refill it weekly
