These drawbacks can be overcome by converting solar energy into chemical energy carriers-solar fuels-that can be stored long term and transported long range, from the sunny and desert regions to the industrialized and populated centers of the earth, where much of the energy is needed. However, solar radiation is dilute (only ∼1 kW/m 2), intermittent (available only during daytime and under clear-sky conditions), and unequally distributed (mostly by the equator). Furthermore, the solar energy reserve is essentially unlimited, and its use is ecologically benign. Using only 0.1% of the earth's land space with solar collectors that operate with a collection efficiency of merely 20%, one could gather more than enough energy to supply the current yearly energy needs of all inhabitants of the planet (∼1.2×10 14 kWh). ![]() Aldo Steinfeld, Anton Meier, in Encyclopedia of Energy, 2004 1 Introduction
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