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In article ,
says...

Interesting presentation but storage is not the primary challenge.
Generation is the challenge.

No. Storage and transmission are the main challenges.

"Nevada has the highest solar energy potential in the nation and is
already the number one state in per capita solar energy production. The
DOE estimates that 100 square miles of Nevada land could supply all U.S.
electricity needs with current (~10%) commercial efficiency rates. With
over 250 days of sunshine a year, Nevada is looking forward to a bright
solar future."

You can find similar all over the net. But the "100 square miles" is
wrong. Should read "100 miles square," which is 10,000 square miles.
That's about .0025 of U.S total square miles.
But solar panel efficiency is already about twice the 10% mentioned, so
that already halves the space needed. Things are moving fast in that
area.
Practically, the solar farms would be spread in many places over areas
with good sunshine.
What's lacking is storage, transmission, and a plan.
Same with wind, which also reduces the footprint of solar.

The only viable alternative to oil and other fossil fuel energy
generation is nuclear until some other
major breakthough is discovered.

The only breakthroughs needed are storage, transmission, a plan, and
a way to remove the shackles of the mind.
The last, as always, is the most difficult challenge.

I got a kick out of his presentation though. It was obviously not to
a group of his peers in the scientific
community. Well done, but if that presentation had been given at a
technical convention it would
have been met with multiple challenges and hot debates from the
audience, not a standing ovation.

He is an entrepreneur, and his audience was investors.
Bill Gates has kicked in $15m.
Whether his approach is the best will be found out in the field.
Others are taking different approaches.
I did notice one nation publicized a wind energy plan, and has already
put it in motion.
Ethiopia. With Chinese aid.
Apparently the Ethiopians and Chinese are more forward leaning than the
run-of-the-mill American skeptic.
Damn, what happened to our can-do spirit on big things?
Seems this country is now full of can't-do political hacks.
If that doesn't change, most of the world will **** on us.
Rightfully so.

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