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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: How much solar energy could the Sahara desert produce if covered in solar cells?
« on: 28/12/2006 21:41:39 »
Assuming you could overcome the limitations of the shifting sand etc...
Sahara desert area = 9x10^6 km^2
Let's assume 50% of it is too difficult to put panels on.
Useable area = 4.5x10^6 km^2
...Actually forget the calculation. I found a reference :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_array#_note-0
Sahara desert area = 9x10^6 km^2
Let's assume 50% of it is too difficult to put panels on.
Useable area = 4.5x10^6 km^2
...Actually forget the calculation. I found a reference :
Quote from: Wikipedia
In the Sahara desert, with less cloud cover and a better solar angle, one can obtain closer to 83 W/m². The unpopulated area of the Sahara desert is over 9 million km², which if covered with solar panels would provide 750 terawatts total. The Earth's current energy comsumption is around 13.5 TW at any given moment (including oil, gas, coal, nuclear, and hydroelectric power).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_array#_note-0