Date:         Sat, 21 Jun 2003 13:42:32 -0400
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: Alternate fuel.
Comments: To: Rosebud <dubesor@NETZERO.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <006501c337f4$46e9ef30$d2c2b7c7@Rosebud>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Sat, 21 Jun 2003, Rosebud wrote:

> If .04 of the energy that strikes Planet Earth in one day were to be
> converted to usable energy, ie fuel cell and electricity, it would be enough
> to supply free energy to the world for over 30 days.

Unfortunately, the best solar cells are only about 5% efficient, so even
leaving out the many, many inefficiencies involved in transporting the
power converting 0.04 (4%, I assume?) of the sunlight falling on the earth
to power would require covering 80% of it's surface with solar cells!
And that's not counting cloudy days...

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si