Sunlight will produce a maximum of 1000 Watts per square Meter in perfect sunlight conditions. This is according to the Discovery Channel's latest program on energy.
746 Watts is one horsepower.
Can solar be a viable alternative to oil and fossil fuels?
IT seems that many here feel that renewables can be a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Are people overestimating Solar?
The world uses 15 trillion Watts, or 15 billion kiloWatts, constantly according to the latest energy show on The Discovery Channel. At 1000/Watts per meter in perfect sun it would require 15 billion square meters of land to power our world using solar assuming perfect sunlight and 100% conversion from solar to energy, or an area 122474 meters by 122474 meters. Or 122 KM by 122 KM. or 75 miles by 75 miles.
Of course the sun does not shine on the same place all day long, there will never be perfect solar to energy conversion, and transmission and storage of solar energy are difficult theoretical problems.
It seems that many here feel when oil runs out we can just merrily move on to renewables.
I want to hear from the science minded folks. Is solar energy feasible and just how much land would it require?