Study: Solar power is cheaper than nuclear

[johnhp]

I looked that up yesterday after you had mentioned it in a post.  If I remember correctly the reactor uses the fission principle rather than the fusion principle.  Very potent but the major problem seems to be containing the terrific amount of heat or energy developed by the nuclear process.  I think they have been working on this for decades now. 

I may be wrong, but it seems that fission is a cleaner process than fusion in that less radiation is generated, which is a very important safety consideration.  Sorry but I know next to nothing about this type of device but I will agree, it is a very awesome source of heat energy.

i think the tokamak uses fusion.  Actually, comparatively fusion is the less dirty of the two.  i do know that a couple of newer reactors have been built in the last 5 years.  i am very interested in these new reactors.  the tokamak produces, basically a mini-sun.

[Velleity]

You know i am kidding.

 

Actually no I didn't.

I was hoping you could explain the math to me. I used to know this stuff like the back of my hand and I loved it. If I had it to do over again I would continue on to a PhD in economics.

But what did I know?

I should go to the JC and take some math courses, but there are so many things I should do. . .

[Velleity]

Somewhere I still have Solow's little out of print book. Another thing I should do is rummage through my attic. I didn't keep most of my textbooks from college or law school but I kept that one. It was my last economics class and it was about growth theory.

[johnhp]

Actually no I didn't.

I was hoping you could explain the math to me. I used to know this stuff like the back of my hand and I loved it. If I had it to do over again I would continue on to a PhD in economics.

But what did I know?

I should go to the JC and take some math courses, but there are so many things I should do. . .

Math guys are interesting.  i can do trig, but i stopped taking math courses in college and applying it to economic theory is something i would never try without serious study.

[Velleity]

Ivan, you can be very pleasant and interesting when you're not snarking. I like this Ivan. Can we see more of him?

[Coke]

People's knowledge of the state of solar energy is terrible and can be seen even here on this forum.  There have been MANY SIGNIFICANT advances already in both SOLAR and BATTERY technology.  Please start reading MIT Technology Review to educate yourself and others.

1.  Multi-junction solar cells.  Where as the old single junction could convert a small spectrum of light, multi-junction can convert a larger spectrum of light into electricity.

2.  Printable solar cell sheets and spray on solar cells.  Solar cells can be printed in mass like newspapers and also sprayed on.
http://www.nanosolar.com/

3.  Concentrators/mirrors that focus the cell on the sun.
http://www.technologyreview.com/tomarket/26003/

4.  Improved electronics that boost the power output of solar arrays.  Squeezes 25% more energy out of a system!
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/26525/

5.  Polymer films that protect solar cells so that they last much longer before needing replacement.
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/26494/

6. Nanotechnology for both cells and batteries
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/25839/
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/26405/
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23240/
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/25817/

7.  Battery capacity.  DOUBLING Lithium Ion battery storage!
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/26294/

8.  Buildings and rooftops can be COVERED in solar cells.  The energy is collected at the point of use unlike power lines that lose energy over distance.

Solar Roof Shingles: 2010 International Builders Show

9.  Electric heating is ON-DEMAND.  When it's not used, it's not wasting energy.

[Coke]

Japan's Solar City of Future	Small | Large

[Malone22]

cheaper perhaps safer also..I apologize if  this was already mentioned in thread...