Comments on: $122 Million Granted to Solar Fuel Research http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/solar-research/122-million-solar-fuel-research/ A blog about residential solar power, brought to you by CalFinder. Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:36:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Alex Kovnat http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/solar-research/122-million-solar-fuel-research/comment-page-1/#comment-43435 Alex Kovnat Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:07:05 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/?p=5760#comment-43435 Conversion of solar energy into commodities such as methanol or hydrocarbon fuels, is advantageous in that they are more easily stored for later use and transported by existing pipelines (or, on dedicated railroad tank car trains) than electricity. However, we must bear in mind two things: We still need electricity and also, land for solar collectors will still have to be allocated somewhere. I've heard stories about how the same kind of people who cried in their champaigne about ANYTHING being better than nuclear power, oppose massive solar cell systems in the southwest where land and sunshine are most available, even in areas not suitable for agriculture. We have to remember there will always be disadvantages and risks no matter what we do. If you feel that any natural energy source is better than nuclear power or coal-fired power plants or offshore oil drilling, are YOU willing to have giant windmills and solar systems in YOUR neighborhood? Conversion of solar energy into commodities such as methanol or hydrocarbon fuels, is advantageous in that they are more easily stored for later use and transported by existing pipelines (or, on dedicated railroad tank car trains) than electricity. However, we must bear in mind two things: We still need electricity and also, land for solar collectors will still have to be allocated somewhere. I’ve heard stories about how the same kind of people who cried in their champaigne about ANYTHING being better than nuclear power, oppose massive solar cell systems in the southwest where land and sunshine are most available, even in areas not suitable for agriculture.

We have to remember there will always be disadvantages and risks no matter what we do. If you feel that any natural energy source is better than nuclear power or coal-fired power plants or offshore oil drilling, are YOU willing to have giant windmills and solar systems in YOUR neighborhood?

]]> By: Apollo Daily Digest » Blog Archive » July 27, 2010: U.S. Could Achieve Emissions Goals With Existing Regulations http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/solar-research/122-million-solar-fuel-research/comment-page-1/#comment-43425 Apollo Daily Digest » Blog Archive » July 27, 2010: U.S. Could Achieve Emissions Goals With Existing Regulations Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:44:05 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/?p=5760#comment-43425 [...] Energy Department announced it would award up to $122 million over five years to a team of scientists trying to develop fuels generated by sunlight. The money will help fund a multidisciplinary hub based in California that will focus on simulating [...] [...] Energy Department announced it would award up to $122 million over five years to a team of scientists trying to develop fuels generated by sunlight. The money will help fund a multidisciplinary hub based in California that will focus on simulating [...]

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