[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

You cite a reputable source, but the physics just doesn’t add up. This is simply not possible.

Can you please explain to me why the physics don't add up. Feel free to use complex numbers. I am literate.

[piytar]

Yup, I knew you were full of sh*t. Ya left out a little detail: Germany Hits Record In Solar Power With 50% Of Energy During Mid-Day Hours. Yup, during MID-DAY HOURS. Of course, people don't need power any time else, right?

[piytar]

Yup. Here it is:

Power consumption per capita in 2009 for Germany was about 6,700 kwh per year.

Population of Germany: about 82,000,000.

Available power per square foot from solar power is about 20 kWh per year.

Do the math: 82,000,000 times 6,700 = about 550 billion kWh. So to produce 50% of that demand would take solar cells covering an area of 26 million square feet. Delaware is about half a billion square feet, so I was off there - I'll accept the hit on the hyperbole. But 26,000,000 square feet is HUGE.

That's the problem with you green types: basic math.

[piytar]

Ooops, I dropped the 50%: “ONLY” 13 MILLION or so square feet...