Elon Musk’s idea for powering the entire U.S. with solar energy

More on Elon Musk’s idea for powering the entire U.S. with solar energy generated on, “a little corner of Nevada or Utah”:
http://inhabitat.com/elon-musks-idea-for-powering-the-entire-u-s-with-solar-energy-holds-a-lot-of-water/?utm_source=BoomTrain+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=b7b33b5618-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_87a7bf0b92-b7b33b5618-207235629

Clean Energy Future Report:
http://inhabitat.com/a-new-study-says-us-could-run-completely-on-clean-energy-by-2050/

Of course, renewables can power the rest of the world too. Last year, I reported on these pages on a plan to power Australia with renewables.

With subsidies of fossil fuels running at $10 million per minute world-wide, there is plenty of money to finance a move to renewables. / University of Melbourne Frank Larkins Australia’s targets increase renewable energy electricity more expensive problems consistency storage developments renewable energy integration electricity grids technically feasible scenarios Australian electricity industry 100 per cent renewable energy Sun shine irregular weather patterns uncertain intermittent power output electricity generators retailers money variability renewable energy sources better understood empirical experience wind power electricity grids hourly computer simulations demand states countries global regions South Australia coal fired coal-fired power stations gas fired gas-fired wind farms non-renewable energy supply Germany Schleswig-Holstein Mecklenburg-Vorpommern transmission links neighbouring states supply problems National Electricity Market (NEM) generation Ben Elliston Iain MacGill UNSW meet demand reliably papers published in peer-reviewed international journals, downloaded website mix Elon Musk forward-thinking technology buff serially successful businessman thinking about the world’s big problems possible solutions powering the entire United States with solar power analysis analyzed sense whole country powered a little corner of Nevada or Utah government leaders cooperated invested in infrastructure UN climate conference Musk address Paris 02 December 2 global policy makers business leaders speech Tesla SpaceX CEO very small segment of land capture solar energy convert electricity power entire nation very small area generate electricity power civilization little corner of Nevada or Utah power entire United States science Musk’s recommendation more than enough solar energy beams down on the U.S. each hour match electricity consumed in a year capture capturing collect collector solar power country’s energy consumption nation eventually run entirely on solar power solar taking the lead among energy sources by 2031 Musk’s concept Land Art Generator Initiative maps showing how little real estate necessary generate electricity needed 20 percent conversion rate optimal lab performance for solar panels area size of Spain source 100 percent electricity clean low-cost renewable source politicians energy industry on board /