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Europe planning to make solar energy fields in deserts

Posted Dec 03, 2007 at 11:26AM by Isaac C. Listed in: Alternative Energy Tags: solar power, Europe, Solar Energy, solar panels, Africa
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Solar panels in Munich - Image 1


Someone finally found a practical use for heat-scorched deserts: use them to gather solar power. That's Europe's plan right now, and it's willing to expend GBP 5 billion (US$ 10 billion) to build solar plants in African and Middle Eastern deserts.

In estimate, scientists believe that solar energy can provide for 10,000 times the amount of energy needed that humanity demands, but this would need a massive amount of land. Well, what better land to gather sunlight than a desert?

Of course, the fact that heat-scorched land is cheaper than grassy knolls help a lot in the decision. The plan is to build the solar panels in desert areas and to transport this energy via undersea cables to the European Union member nations.

The whole program - called Desertec - although initially funded by Europe, will be taken up by banks, financial institutions and national governments and the estimated cost of the whole shebang is GBP 200 billion (US$ 413 billion).

There is still some debate over the cost of the system since solar power is more expensive than energy from fossil fuels and some countries may not opt for the switch. Some believe that eventual improvements will lower costs of solar power significantly.

[Via Guardian] Permalink  |   Email this  |   Linking Blogs   |   Digg It!

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3 Comments


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   by hdsolarguy - 2007-12-04
 » Global Energy Network Emerging
There is a new world wide web emerging right before our eyes. It is a global energy network and, like the internet, it will change our culture, society and how we do business. More importantly, it will alter how we use, transform and exchange energy. For more information, see http://www.terrawatts.com

   by Advertising -
   by CHUCKINGROCKSATSPACESHIPS - 2007-12-05
 » Good Idea
We need more of those here in the U.S. as well.

   by kingtoid - 2007-12-06
 » Econonmy rant
In one of my classes we have been talking about the national debt in the US and how rapidly it is increasing.
That is in the trillions. The overflow of the US's budget for one year could pay for this. Not that that would ever happen but it is a thought.

The oil producing countries could easily pay for this without their economy even flinching. However, if they did pay for it they would lose their income. So, I think the oil producing countries will fight this to their last even if not directly. Life is an unending vicious circle.

I wonder if anyone actually could convice everyone to go with and contribute to a project like this.

Al Gore followers, you cannot stop climate change. Even if humans never existed there would still be climate change. If the climate did not change then we would look like the moon with water.

An WWW for energy is a good idea in theory but there would be serious political problems and it would shut down or someone would destroy it. (think communism in big bright CFL's, thank you to those of you who got that)

If a WWW for energy is such a good idea then how come they haven't already made one for oil.

Each nation should make their own energy or buy their own energy.



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