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redstringJun 20, 2011
When it comes to harnessing the power of the suns, we are in our infancy. This is an early step toward an amazing future.
arpadJun 21, 2011
The lack of information in the article, like the amount of land area covered by the facility and the cost of the electricity it'll produce, leads me to the conclusion that we're definitely not in our infancy when it comes to trying to sell a bad idea.
And then there's the whole "Arab Spring" thing that throws a bit of cold water on beliefs about the stability of the region.
But hey, why worry about that sort of dreary stuff when an opportunity to engage in self-indulgence presents itself?
ieatskunkJun 21, 2011
I think it's funny because now we see the direct result of fanatical Islam: the hesitation of investment of half a trillion dollars into the region.
And their hesitations are well placed, there is a good chance the fanatics would just destroy pieces of the infrastructure making the whole thing useless.
norman619Jun 21, 2011
Have they considered doing this in the ocean? Yeah it would cost more but no dealing with radical nutjobs.
norman619Jun 21, 2011
No because solar is still a supplemental power source at best. We are a LONG way away from looking at solar as a serious primary power source.Geothermal, Hydroelectric, and nuclear are our best "clean-ish" power and will be for the foreseeable future.
ieatskunkJun 21, 2011
If we can perfect room temperature super conductors then that might change. The US continues extensive research into the matter. It always looks promising....but many things often do.
norman619Jun 21, 2011
I will buy into that when we see REAL progress on that. So far there hasn't been any. Room temperature superconductivity is just as iffy as cold fusion.
ieatskunkJun 21, 2011
Maybe a better idea would be to collect power in Africa, send to relay station in orbit, and back to receiving center in Europe. Japan was researching transmitting power from a solar station in orbit to Earth. Half a trillion could yield some progress on the matter.
norman619Jun 21, 2011
An orbiting solar power station is a better idea. It can get sun 24/7 and then beam the power to receiving stations on the ground. People are actually working on this now.
haimpJun 21, 2011
That part of the world is so impoverished that they'll steal the solar panels for shade!
theonewhoknowsJun 21, 2011
Brilliant!
haimpJun 21, 2011
Thank you good Sir!
AdamSHurwitzJun 22, 2011
The total amount of solar energy that the earth intakes on the earth is exponentially greater than our current world demand.
Rouge77Jun 21, 2011
North African solar power should be used to light up Africa.
philsnipesJun 21, 2011
why cant they light up America?
bluenose2Jun 21, 2011
I wouldn't hold my breath for this to happen.Great idea,but.