Using the Deserts to Produce Solar Energy
To produce mass quantities of efficient solar energy space and abundant sunshine are needed. Sunshine and space is more of a problem to some countries than others, so many assume that only countries with an extensive land mass and guaranteed good weather are worthy bases for solar power generation. But according to Greenpeace, the small and often overcast United Kingdom could meet two-thirds of its electricity needs with solar panels -- on roofs of existing buildings, negating the need to find space for solar plants.
But there is one area of the world, some are saying, which does meet solar power's two basic needs of sunshine and lots of space: The Sahara Desert. According to the United Nations Environment Report, released in 2006, an area of 640,000 square kilometers could provide the world with all of its electricity needs (the Sahara is more than 9 million square kilometers in size).
The IEA has also said that if just 4 percent of the world's deserts were covered with PV installations, the world's main energy needs would be met. Opponents to such a centralized supply of energy, however, have one key objection: it would be too easy a target for terrorists.
In Sunday's Presidential radio address Obama announced that the US Department of Energy would commit $2 billion to two solar companies in an ongoing effort to build a clean energy economy.
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A next generation wind turbine design offers the possibilty of generating up to three times the power from the current wind turbine design.
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Exxon is planning a $600 million investment in biofuel through a strategic partnership with Synthetic Genomics to develop transportation fuels from algae.
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T Boone Pickens scaled back his massive plans for a West Texas wind farm and will look to place wind turbins in other places in lesser quantities.
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Congress is to open debate on a "clean energy" bill this week. Pressure has been steadily mounting from the Obama administration to show the world that Washington is serious about making a difference against global warming, .
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