Sunlight will produce a maximum of 1000 Watts per square Meter. This is according to the Discovery Channel's latest program on energy.
746 Watts is one horsepower.
And this is assuming 100% conversion of solar to energy.
How 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. I don't see a theoretical solution let alone a practical solution.
Barrel of oil equivalent (boe) = approx. 6.1 GJ (5.8 million Btu), equivalent to 1,700 kWh. "Petroleum barrel" is a liquid measure equal to 42 U.S. gallons (35 Imperial gallons or 159 liters); about 7.2 barrels oil are equivalent to one tonne of oil (metric) = 42-45 GJ.