Entire State of Texas Could be Powered by Solar
A recent study released by Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization, and several environmental organizations has concluded that solar technology alone could supply electricity for the whole state.
They cite a number of mind-blowing prospects from a variety of sources, all pointing to Texas as having the number one solar generating potential of the US states.
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Concentrating solar power in Texas was found by one study to have a potential capacity of 148,000 megawatts. That is just one solar technology type. (The current total solar power capacity of the US is about 9,000 MW, - wind is 26,000 MW). Their study document also states, ” Photovoltaic plants covering 30 miles by 30 miles could power the entire state.” The types of technology referenced are photovoltaics, thin film photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, parabolic troughs, parabolic dishes/sterling engines, central receivers, linear fresnel reflectors, and solar water heaters.
Technologies
Thin film photovoltaics employ semiconductors several millionths of a meter thick and can be applied to many sun-facing surfaces such as building exteriors. Production costs and times are low. The number of thin film modules produced may exceed the crystalline variety within 1-2 years.
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Concentrating solar power uses mirrors to increase energy intensity to heat a liquid to 400 degrees C, which reportedly stores the energy more efficiently that conversion directly to electricity that is stored in batteries. The stored heated liquid can produce energy on cloudy days and at night.
How much does a 900 square mile plant cost? I am guessing it is insane.
Wow you do raise some good points dude!
RT
http://www.privacy.pro.tc
Umm, 11 30×30 mi plants That’s nearly 11,000 square miles of solar panels. That’s TWO CONNECTICUTS paved over with mirrors. I can buy a yard-square meter online for $40, which means I could buy just the mirrors needed for a cool $1,140 billion dollars. Maybe there’s some economy of scale, but that’s still just the mirrors, no liquid sodium or piping or anything.
By contract, a 1,140 billion could be used to build 250 grossly overbudget $1.1 billion dollar nuclear reactors plus fuel costs for eternity, each generating 1,100 MW, for a little under TWICE the energy Texas needs. Make them thorium burning, and the waste isn’t even a big deal. Just a whole bunch of power on a footprint of new york city instead of all of connecticut.
Thanks. I think that a lot of the solar collecting technology there will also be manufactured there, and it will cost far less.
Put people to work building that trillion dollar solar power plant.
Sure it will cost alot, but just imagine how much of that money we would save after 10 years of using it.
You guys are all talking about short term gains when there is virtually none except for job positions. Long term is where the true value lies.
This is a very good story. Thinking that most cities may run on the sun would really reduce our daily fossil fuel use for a significant degree.
If only this technology is cheap enough for poor countries which happens to have an abundance of sunlight
Haha what are you smoking papi? You’re phrasing that awfully positively. . . There isn’t a situation where ANY of our states will be pursuing projects on that order any time soon. It’s a dream.
The point of building these solar plants is to make Texas a self sufficient state that has a clean burning, permanent way to provide energy to its resident. I do not know much about the Texan geology but I have never heard about Texas being abundant in Uranium or other nuclear fuels. One thing that Texas does have is plenty of sunshine. Texas using solar power is pretty much the same as the great plain states using wind turbines. While the initial cost is a lot to ask for, it is for the long term. The cost over the period of time should be reasonably low as long as the plants do not get into disrepair. In addition, using the solar energy does not leave any waste behind. While the waste may not initially be a big deal, it will accumulate over the years and eventually turn into a big deal. While 11 900 square miles is very big, Texas is also a very big state. Texas is over 250,000 square miles which means 11,000 square miles is not really a big deal. Plus, since the whole state receives pretty much the same sunshine, the plants can be put in the more inhospitable land. Also, all of the jobs created will help to provide a real boost to the economy.