The total rate at which power is used by humans worldwideis approximately 15 TW (terawatts). The solar flux averagedover the sunlit half of Earth is 680 W>m2 (assumingno clouds). The area of Earth’s disc as seen from the Sun is1.28 * 1014 m2. The surface area of Earth is approximately197,000,000 square miles. How much of Earth’s surfacewould we need to cover with solar energy collectors to powerthe planet for use by all humans? Assume that the solar energycollectors can convert only 10% of the available sunlightinto useful power.

College Physics
10th Edition
ISBN:9781285737027
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Introduction
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Problem 61AP: (a) How many seconds are there in a year? (b) If one micrometeorite (a sphere with a diameter on the...
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The total rate at which power is used by humans worldwide
is approximately 15 TW (terawatts). The solar flux averaged
over the sunlit half of Earth is 680 W>m2 (assuming
no clouds). The area of Earth’s disc as seen from the Sun is
1.28 * 1014 m2. The surface area of Earth is approximately
197,000,000 square miles. How much of Earth’s surface
would we need to cover with solar energy collectors to power
the planet for use by all humans? Assume that the solar energy
collectors can convert only 10% of the available sunlight
into useful power.

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