this report shows that you can build 6 solar plants at the sizes of the dots around the world (in deserts) that can supply 100% energy usage. you add-in other solar/wind plants and you can really improve things.
meh, its just a sample that someone put together showing that you could possibly put enough solar in deserts to power 100%. there are so many issue with it that its not really feasable but it is something to consider about. germany is really been pushing green tech alot and are way ahead of everyone. course the biggest issue is that they power only during day time and you need to account for peaks and valleys. there is newer some versions that use molten salt to be heated and that holds heat longer into the night. First Large Scale 24/7 Solar Power Plant to be Constructed in U.S – CleanTechnica: Cleantech innovation news and views probably the biggest problem is costs but like you said the costs keep coming down and the solar conversions are getting better each year.
It would be nice to take advantage of all that nice desert we have just sitting in the sun. While it's true that Solar energy is only good in the day... that is a peak usage time for industrial/commercial energy. If Solar could augment the grid in a significant way during those hours it certainly would help. Unfortunately, at least one large solar plant project is being challenged in court due to environmental concerns. Same issues for wind farms. I guess the environmentalists that were preaching solar/wind, 20 years ago changed their minds?
because once the 6 plants are built ... all electricity will be FREE ... doh! Solar is >not< a renewable source ... no one is creating another sun ... doh!
