Solar Power and Hurricane Abatement

erm, I remember a few friends having this discussion but sadly I can't remember their arguments. My initial worry is that we would be producing energy before it is needed which would lead to much waste of energy. My second worry is what effect covering a third of the Sahara would have on the world. My third worry/point is that Africa would be doing just fine if it wasn't for the modern world. If we stay out of it, maybe they can fix themselves... Why not build this in the American desert?? Seems to me the richest country in the world would love a cheap source of power :D (or is too expensive, not doable do to lack of raw resources, etc.

Well, there is that matter of energy independence that is the quest of the west and building all that in another country? Africa probably is not industrial enough to consume all that energy.

Then, there is the concern of the desert being mostly in Algeria, a Muslim country and I like to think that you are aware of the feeling about Islamism in the USA.

Then, how would the financiers of the project get their money back? Who would sign the guarantee? And against what market of sale?

There is also the issue of maintenance of the advanced technologies. I also think that Solar Technology falls in the group of technologies that comes under National security interest.

I could go on... but I think I should stop

Hello "Guest"

The Sahara was not always a desert.

No, it was not "Global warming" which caused the Sahara to become a desert, either.

The desertification of the Sahara, like so many areas, may be blamed on destruction of natural plant cover, overgrazing, and burning of forest wood for fuel.

All was done without taking thought of: "If I do this action, what will result"?

The most destructive browsing animal in the sahara area was historically, and still is: The Goat.

The Saharan locals are not persuaded of the above factors, and are unlikely to change their customs.

As far as "covering ¹/₃ of the Sahara with solar cells", I guess that you have never experienced a desert sandstorm which may last for days.

That dust and sand permeates everything, and destroys solar cells with abrasion, along with the rest of the equipment.

Also, as has been pointed out, nomadic tribesmen and other locals are not noted for their leaving found things alone, but because of their basic poverty, such "found articles' are often "liberated" and on-sold to scrap merchants.

The above would mean that the sand/dust problem would need to be overcome, Security fences established, infrastructure guarded 24/7 and more.

However, if someone is prepared to pay me US$20,000,000 to kick-start research into the practicality of your suggestions, then I can quickly advise a bank account to receive the initial deposit and the many required further subsidies.

I will give updated reports as to the progress in my research.

Kind Regards....