Historic Report: Solar Energy Costs Now Lower than Nuclear Energy : CleanTechnica

[polaris93]

For ages, people have been saying: “Solar is a great, clean, renewable energy source, but it is just too expensive. Other energy sources, like nuclear, may have some (or serious) environmental risks, but they are cheaper

Comments

[jordan179]

Keep in mind that solar energy costs must include the cost of the land purchased or otherwise allocated to mount the arrays, and that a national solar power system would drive up land prices around cities. Nuclear power doesn't suffer from the same problem, since nuclear reactors take up very little real estate per megawatt.

Having said that, the 2000's have seen amazing advances in solar technology which have reduced the price far more rapidly than I hoped, and this is definitely good news! :)

[polaris93]

Keep in mind that solar energy costs must include the cost of the land purchased or otherwise allocated to mount the arrays, and that a national solar power system would drive up land prices around cities. Nuclear power doesn't suffer from the same problem, since nuclear reactors take up very little real estate per megawatt.On the other hand, marginal land, the sort nobody wants to build on, use for agriculture, or make into parks, could be used for the arrays. Old quarries, desert areas that aren't picturesque or ecologically interesting enough to care much about, would be perfect. And floating islands could be established in the midst of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans for arrays -- you could, in fact, turn those floating oceanic mega-junk piles such as the East Pacific Gyre into such islands, tidying up the loose ends and tucking in the plastic tails so they don't mess up the sea life any more while you're at it. Just big floating islands providing shade and hiding places for little fish, and maybe a good place for

[banner]

talk about a rigged study. Get rid of all the stupid regs that make nuclear more expensive, and all the tax payer subsidies that make solar cheaper. then we will see.

[polaris93]

Just out of curiosity, what if it turns out that solar is cheaper than nuclear? What do you do then?

I put these links up so people can check them out for themselves and make their decisions accordingly. It's up to them. If it turns out that solarisn't cheaper than nuclear, fine; otherwise, fine also.

But if you're trying to kill the space program by disparaging collection of solar energy above the atmosphere, Obama already got there, and it's something I will never, ever forgive him or anyone else who does that for. Are you?

[banner]

But it won't. this is a rigged study. As an engineer I see this crap all the time. Solar is a long way from being as efficient or productive as nuclear. Will it ever get there? No. Why? Because as solar improves so will nuclear.

Solar energy above the atmosphere is a different story because it's a lot cheaper up there than down here. weights less, less maintenance issues, more sunshine.

If solar was cheaper than nuclear, which is the CHEAPEST of all, no one would ever build another power plant anywhere. The market would only allow solar to be built. And after all, Duke is NOT an engineering school.

[polaris93]

But it won't. this is a rigged study. As an engineer I see this crap all the time. Solar is a long way from being as efficient or productive as nuclear. Will it ever get there? No. Why? Because as solar improves so will nuclear.

Is it rigged, or just mistaken? I'm paranoid enough as it is, and I don't fancy the idea of going all the way over the edge into true madness. So if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. Cool.

Solar energy above the atmosphere is a different story because it's a lot cheaper up there than down here. weights less, less maintenance issues, more sunshine.

I know. More of the electromagnetic spectrum of the Sun's output, as well. Which makes it worthwhile. I agree that on the ground, you're just not going to get enough energy from the Sun to meet the world's power needs. But a fleet of solar collectors in orbit might meet a great deal of those needs, if not all of them. And putting them up there and maintaining them would give the space industry a massive, permanent boost that we really need.

If solar was