RealityPrime

Here are two alternate visions of providing the nation with enough energy from the sun to obviate our need for fossil fuels almost entirely (I still want my gas stove top).

First, the military takes the view that we should launch giant satellites into space, beaming the collected power back to earth in concentrated columns of energy.

Space Based Solar Power Fuels Vision of Global Energy Security

Second, we have a number of solar power startups that are racing to improve efficiencies of collection and especially storage for ground-based solar arrays.

Can Sunshine Provide All US Electricity?

Which approach is better? Boy, that’s a tough one. Let’s see. Simple and easily repairable technology focusing the sun’s energy into heat which turns turbines… Or complex, expensive, and vulnerable military satellites that can double in wartime as directed energy weapons…

I’m just not sure. But I do know this: with some cool technologies on the horizon (esp. heat storage), we can almost certainly power the entire US with a single sunny circle about a hundred miles in diameter, with no need for burning anything except the occasional dinner.

Do we have a hundred miles of sunny land to spare?

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