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Posted on 12/06/2006 2:28:44 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
We're getting there. Oh, until the day when we can collectively moon the Middle East.
I worked for Spectrolab in the early 80's
This is very high.
I like that~!
The moon's angular tilt is surprisingly small. Yes, the receiver, whether solar cells or solar dynamic, would have to track to follow the sun. A simple photocell-activated clock motor would suffice.
Dust on Mars would be a problem. I would design arrays that could fold up to shield from storms, and a robot arm would be needed for dusting. To avoid such complexities, simple flat arrays may be preferable, with solar cells made of local materials.
You CAN...in Seattle, under cloud cover, at night...just put the solar cells where they SHOULD be - IN SPACE - then BEAM the energy back to those steel mills, shipyards et al in Seattle and elsewhere; solar power satellites receive full sunlight 24/7/365 in perpetuity.
*sings*
Oh, give me a locus where the gravitons focus
Where the three-body problem is solved,
Where the microwaves play down at three degrees K,
And the cold virus never evolved.
Home, home on LaGrange,
Where the space debris always collects,
We possess, so it seems, two of Man's greatest dreams:
Solar power and zero-gee sex.
We eat algae pie, our vacuum is high,
Our ball bearings are perfectly round.
Our horizon is curved, our warheads are MIRVed,
And a kilogram weighs half a pound.
Home, home on LaGrange,
Where the space debris always collects,
We possess, so it seems, two of Man's greatest dreams:
Solar power and zero-gee sex.
If we run out of space for our burgeoning race
No more Lebensraum left for the Mensch
When we're ready to start, we can take Mars apart,
If we just find a big enough wrench.
Home, home on LaGrange,
Where the space debris always collects,
We possess, so it seems, two of Man's greatest dreams:
Solar power and zero-gee sex.
I'm sick of this place, it's just McDonald's in space,
And living up here is a bore.
Tell the shiggies, "Don't cry," they can kiss me goodbye
'Cause I'm moving next week to L4!
Home, home on LaGrange,
Where the space debris always collects,
We possess, so it seems, two of Man's greatest dreams:
Solar power and zero-gee sex.
Where solar can have biggest impact on energy usage is air conditioning during the summer.
Also note the multijunction flexible product put out by 'UniSolar':
http://www.uni-solar.com/index.asp
They put out a flexible peel and stock roll (feels like linoleum) that can easily confrom to almost any roof. They also put out a shingle product. They presently warrantee their product for 25 years.
In the solar biz, the weakest link is the AC-DC Converter, but they are getting better with longer warranties (> 5 years to now greater than 10 years).
Batteries are a problem in more ways then one.
But looking at grid loads during the summer, air conditioning is a huge percentage of load and if solar systems can take up that load, then oil and other fossil fuel markets will definitely feel it.
!
Thanks for the ping :)
That's not a solar cell, but yes, solar energy is being concentrated there. Cover your lawn with curved mirrors all focused on a water tank painted black and you'd get all the hot water you'd ever need on a hot, sunny summer day.
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