On Sat, 16 Feb 2013 07:44:57 -0600, "HeyBub"
wrote:

Harry Johnson wrote:
On 2/13/2013 2:50 AM, Tegger wrote:

Where I live, such solar panels are often installed immediately under
existing power lines. For example, those flashing lights that sit
atop certain traffic signs; until recently, those lights simply had
a short drop of cable from the overhead power, but now have a solar
panel. Abominably stupid and expensive, but in keeping with the
current tyrant's Green dreams.




Where I live, we are running out of fossil fuels.

Maybe we should capture free energy from the sun?

Free? Well, if you are on the government dole, perhaps.

The amount of the sun's energy falling on the earth is about 1300 watts/sq
meter. At the equator. At noon. With no clouds.

Assuming 50% efficiency of a photovalactic converter, to supply enough
electricity for California (~50GW) and adjusting for latitude, 12 hours
(average) of darkness, and cloud cover, you would need a solar farm of
approximately 1,200 sq miles.

This is about the size of the Los Angeles basin.

Can you imagine the cost to construct and maintain such a behemoth?

OTOH, can you imagine a better use for the Los Angeles basin?

This idea can, however, be improved by moving the orbit of the earth closer
to the sun, which is just as practicle.

Speaking of "Global Warming"!

The good news about the plan, though, is that everybody in Los Angeles would
be living in the shade.

Everyone in California is living in the dark now.