Quote Originally Posted by rory_20_uk View Post
Don, I think you're slightly wrong.

Solar power is utilising energy from the sun. One method is that you've described, but there are several others which utilise mirrors to focus the sun's rays on one point and utilise the energy by heating water to drive a turbine. I believe that there are also others.

You can only setup large solar facilities like that in relatively few places. Much like wind power, there are very few places where it can be harnassed reliably. Wind, solar, ect, will never be more than boutique energy sources. They can be used effectively in few places and in the rest of the country they can only be used as a part-time supplement, not as a replacement for traditional energy generation sources. The only non-fossil fuel energy source that can be used virtually anywhere is nuclear energy. Any plan to replace fossil fuels that doesn't rely heavily on nuclear, isn't being serious.

Good post, Don. Next, you'll be telling me that energy-saving florescent bulbs destroy the environment as well.