A Photographic Glimpse at Solar Power 2006

I agree strongle with Geoff - Nuclear energy consumes huge amounts of oil for year PRIOR to producing electricity - all of the oil used for the construction (cement, steel, etc. - and all the construction workers and miners driving to work in their pick-ups for tens of years to build the plant and mine the uranium...).

Todays PV systems (and especially wind turbines) recover the energy used in the production in as short as three years - so as far as producing a "new" source of power they far exceed the alternatives - nuclear has been shown to be an energy sink in fact - just a lousy way to spend our limited oil reserves...

Christopher

For Kerry: Please do research on the full life cycle cost of nuclear power ! The nuclear power industry has been trying this "sell job" for years. But the reality and truth of this technology always rears it's ugly head. It's costly and very consumptive of safety and security resources; the fuel is costly to mine, refine, use, and safely dispose of; and the centralized generators are vulnerable to this new disease of terrorism. The bottom line to utilities now is SO costly for this technology, they have been turning to alternatives for years, because consumers cannot afford nuclear any longer. Only if/when we are willing to commit a MUCH larger share of our personal disposable incomes to pay for nuclear-generated 'electricity', will it ever be seen as 'cost-effective'. The combination of lower-cost renewables and a growing trend toward conservation will probably keep that from happening - ever again.

How is it that nuclear is "clean"? Clean means no harmful waste. I think waste that will kill you for 10,000 years probably should be considered "harmful", don't you?

Vnod Khosla spoke yesterday at Solar Power 2006 and noted that Concentrating Solar Power plants can soon replace coal plants and are already economically competitive. A video clip of his talk is at

http://tvworldwide.com/events/eqtv/061016/default.cfm?id=7513&type=wmhigh

A UPI story on his talk is at:

http://www.upi.com/Energy/view.php?StoryID=20061017-071756-7106r

As of today, nuclear power is the only significant
source of clean power. It produces more than 40 times the electrical output of wind and solar.
As for CO2 emissions, they are not of great importance. Their effect has been so exaggerated by the totally one sided film by Al Gore that it won't be long before we start eliminating humans as
a source of CO2 emissions.

With most of the world's current power supply
coming from coal and other fossil fuels, we need a transition to clean, renewable energy sources that will protect the world's health, environment and quality of life. A commitment to clean energy would reduce pollution, create millions of high tech jobs, diversify our energy sources, add to global energy security and save billions of dollars. A much-needed transition to solar, wind power and other renewable sources in every region of the world holds the promise of a better future for us, our children and future generations.

typo...
Double from 2005....or double for 2006...either way, thanks to San Jose and the organizers!!

It stinks that a renewable supportive string like this gets tainted by one uneducated and ignorant view regarding nuclear energy. Although I do agree with one comment, perhaps there are some humans who should be eliminated to benifit the bulk of the herd. I vote for Mr. Beauchrt. In this case, reducing C02 is just a bonus.

Great show!! Enjoyed seeing the attendance DOUBLE from 2006!!

I welcome opposing views on these strings, it's democracy in action. Nuclear energy is dangerous, and so last century. Energy production is entering a new era of independence, let's welcome solar power as freedom from the tyranny of centralized production. When every business and household can not only produce enough electricity to be self-sufficient, but also contribute to the grid, we will have come closer to Jefferson's dream of American independence. We may not live to see the day, but we will have pioneered a better future for our children and the planet.