¥In
1931, Thomas Edison said: ÒIÕd put my money on the sun and solar energy.
What a source of power! I hope we donÕt have to wait until oil and
coal run out before we tackle that.Ó
¥
¥
¥Ultimately
the sun is the source of all power
¥Globally
averaged solar power is 240 watts per square meter (higher at equator, lower at poles)
¥~2000
W per person is needed for residential electricity
¥At
10% efficiency, ~80 sq. meters (30 ft x 30 ft) of solar energy collection is required per person
¥(at
6B humans, surface area per human is 1000x1000 ft)