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Subject:Re: Alternate fuel.
From:David Brodbeck
Date:Sat, 21 Jun 2003 13:42:32 -0400

On Sat, 21 Jun 2003, Rosebud wrote:

> If .04 of the energy that strikes Planet Earth in one day were to be
> converted to usable energy, ie fuel cell and electricity, it would be enough
> to supply free energy to the world for over 30 days.

Unfortunately, the best solar cells are only about 5% efficient, so even
leaving out the many, many inefficiencies involved in transporting the
power converting 0.04 (4%, I assume?) of the sunlight falling on the earth
to power would require covering 80% of it's surface with solar cells!
And that's not counting cloudy days...

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si