Elon Musk: This is why I think solar power will be the primary long term solution

[bananas]

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/statuses/414456595431432192

Elon Musk @elonmusk

This is why I think solar power will be the primary long term solution http://www.abb-conversations.com/2013/12/7-impressive-solar-energy-facts-charts/

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10:05 AM - 21 Dec 13

Here's the article he references, I didn't paste in the charts, follow the link and see them:

http://www.abb-conversations.com/2013/12/7-impressive-solar-energy-facts-charts/

7 impressive solar energy facts (+ charts)
December 2, 2013 by Zachary Shahan

How solar power has changed over the last 10 years

Solar power is in a tremendously different place today than it was in 10 years ago. Below are a handful of impressive stats about solar power’s growth, as well as some general stats about solar energy potential that are also quite noteworthy.

1. Even yearly energy potential from sunshine dwarfs total energy potential from any other source.
The annual energy potential from solar energy is 23,000 TWy. Energy potential from total recoverable reserves of coal is 900 TWy. For petroleum, it’s 240 TWy; and for natural gas, it’s 215 TWy. Wind energy’s yearly energy potential is 25–70 TWy.

2. Approximately 66% of installed world solar PV power capacity has been installed in the past 2½ years.
Furthermore, total installed capacity is projected to double in the coming 2½ years.

3. Global solar PV power capacity grew from about 2.2 GW in 2002 to 100 GW in 2012.
From 2007 to 2012, it grew 10 times over, from 10 GW to 100 GW.

4. There are now about 1.36 million jobs in the global solar PV industry.
There are also about 892,000 in the solar heating & cooling industry.

5. Germany accounted for nearly one third of global solar PV capacity at the end of 2012.
Italy (16%) and Germany (32%) combined accounted for nearly half of global solar PV capacity.

6. The price of solar PV panels dropped about 100 times over from 1977 to 2012.
Since 2008, the price of solar PV panels has dropped about 80%.

7. The sunshine hitting Texas in one month contains more energy than all the oil and gas ever pumped out of the state.
Nonetheless, New Jersey has about 10 times more solar PV power capacity installed than the entire state of Texas.

[colsohlibgal]

1. It Makes Too Much Sense

Minus the oil/gas lobbying we might be there already. It's abundant and we won't run out of it anytime soon.

[Cha]

2. Ye-ah!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

4. great graphic

I like it.

[Cha]

5. Me too, Blanche!

It's on my FB page.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

14. I shall have to put it on mine too.

[Cha]

15. Yes!

[bagimin]

3. This guy is pretty bright...

I wouldn't argue with much of what he has to say.
His Tesla Model S is commonplace in our county.

[cantbeserious]

6. Kick And Recommend

eom

[Wolf Frankula]

7. When the Sun Runs Out

We'll be out among the galaxies, and be evolved into something else.

Solar is the long term solution.

Wolf

[drynberg]

10. Yeah, but we are gonna be flooded in a stormy planet if we keep up pumping millions of tons of

Greenhouse gases into our environment every day. Solar/Wind has to happen NOW.

[mitty14u2]

8. Utilities Feeling Rooftop Solar Heat Start Fighting Back

Utilities Feeling Rooftop Solar Heat Start Fighting Back

If you wonder why America’s utilities are rattled by the explosive growth in rooftop solar -- and are pushing back -- William Walker has a story for you.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-26/utilities-feeling-rooftop-solar-heat-start-fighting-back.html

Arizona Approves Grid-Connection Fees for Solar Rooftops

Arizona will permit the state’s largest utility to charge a monthly fee to customers who install photovoltaic panels on their roofs, in a closely watched hearing that drew about 1,000 protesters and may threaten the surging residential solar market.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-15/arizona-regulators-impose-power-grid-fees-for-solar-roofs.html

[Wounded Bear]

11. This is why there was such a push to privatize the power grid...

Blocking solar, and especially an individual's capacity to get off the grid.

[mwooldri]

9. The thing that will make solar extra attractive is...

.... energy storage.

I suppose if you have a solar power system that can make enough energy for a home on the darkest, shortest day.... and it be stored for release over the day then I guess there will be no need for an electric utility company.

Problem is that batteries are not cheap. In northern climates more solar panels would be needed to achieve this. I guess for someone who wants to be totally off the grid, a solar, wind, and lpg gas generator solution is the best we can ask for now... but I don't think most people have $50k to drop and go this way.

Yep, solar is the way to go.

[jtuck004]

13. "...I don't think most people have $50k to drop and go this way. " True, but how many earths have

they got for a backup when they make this one unlivable?

This can't be left up to individuals, any more than the defense of a nation or it's highway system, or waiting for citizens to raise enough money with carwashes to build a hospital or school.

As far as batteries, there is no need to make it 24x7 right now - we do the best we can do with what we have, and work on developing the rest as we give ourselves more time. Because excuses will only bring us death.

[quakerboy]

16. Compressed air.

Compressed air to store the energy and run air powered motors when the sun isnt coming in full power. No heavy metal batteries, no fires, no polution.

Water on a gradient. Pump it up high when the solar is providing excess, let it flow down and spin turbines when the solar input is lower.

There are a ton of options for energy storage. We just need the motivation to put them into action, in a world where coal and gas are still subsidized to be the cheap options.

[sarchasm]

12. KnR

[JEFF9K]

17. People who have been through tornadoes, hurricanes, and tropical storms will think ...

... the numbers for wind power are a bit low.

[cprise]

18. LOL!

[4dsc]

19. And still not a substitute for oil

While solar has its place in our world let us be reminded that its not a substitute for oil.