Desert Solar Could Bring Power to all Europe

Projected Solar Array in the Sahara Desert

The use of solar power has seen tremendous growth around the world – for homes, commercial and even government use.

Now a researcher at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria says solar could end up bringing power to all of Europe.

Dr. Anthony Patt, addressing scientists at this week’s climate change conference in Copenhagen, said a large solar array in the Sahara Desert could supply all of Europe’s energy demands.

Commenting on the incredible strength of the sun in the African Sahara, Patt estimated that solar panels would need to be installed in a portion of the Sahara the size of a small country to transmit power to all of Europe. Mirrors would focus the sun on thin pipes containing either salt or water, converting the sun’s energy into thermal solar power.

As exciting as this possibility is, however, Patt cautioned that opposition would likely be a hurdle to such a project. Also the projected cost of around $70 billion could deter government backing.

Still, the idea of bringing clean energy to numerous countries currently addicted to coal and nuclear power is appealing. Whether or not governments can see past the funding and regional concerns should be interesting to see.