Sacrificing food for energy

[bikerdruid]

Depends on the technology--parabolic mirrors, focusing light on a solar boiler, cannot be perpendicular to the Sun and still work.

perhaps for solar heat, but is seems unfeasible for photovoltaics, if only for the cost.
solar trackers for banks of solar power panels are simple and efficient.

 

[Dinwar]

It wouldn't be precisely photovoltaic--but it would still be solar energy. It's one of several types of solar power plants being constructed around the country just now.

 

[bikerdruid]

It wouldn't be precisely photovoltaic--but it would still be solar energy. It's one of several types of solar power plants being constructed around the country just now.

solar generated steam for turbines?

 

[Dinwar]

More or less, yeah. At least, that's my understanding. They do have to be somewhat careful--too much concentrated sunlight will actually weaken the structure holding the steam, so they have to spread the beam out a bit.

 

[Mr. Scott]

panels are only efficient if they track, and remain perpindicular to the sun.

None of the ones I see track the sun. I assume they are place at a fixed angle that maxes out average solar illumination. Also in our state we have thousands of solar panels installed on telephone poles, about a meter square and fixed and not tracking. Want pics? Perhaps the additional cost and maintenance of panels that track cancels out their greater efficiency.

 

[bikerdruid]

None of the ones I see track the sun. I assume they are place at a fixed angle that maxes out average solar illumination. Also in our state we have thousands of solar panels installed on telephone poles, about a meter square and fixed and not tracking. Want pics? Perhaps the additional cost and maintenance of panels that track cancels out their greater efficiency.

oil field installations in my area also use fixed mount panels.
that does not change the fact that panels are only at peak eficiency when the sun is directly perpindicular to the panels. they lose power dramatically as the sun moves from this position.
if they do not track, you need many more panels to match the power output of tracking panels.

this is a fact.

 

[Mr. Scott]

These fixed solar panels my state is installing on utility poles together (200,000) would cover a farm of 170 acres:

"One panel will produce enough kilowatt hours in one year to light four 60-watt bulbs around the clock for around six weeks, the company said.

When complete, the panels on the poles are expected to provide half of the 80 megawatts of electricity generated by the utility's overall $515 million solar investment — enough to power 6,500 homes."

NY Times