Memo to Environmentalists: Carbon Production Can Be a Good Thing
David S: #62: In principle I share your view about solar power and its potential for individuals to be self-sufficient in energy production. That’s why I prefer this model to other (perhaps more effective) solar schemes like satellite arrays in outer space, etc which would result in centralized control of this source of energy.
One limitation with solar today is that it is still too costly, and so not an option for 90% of people, whereas cheap energy from coal is a blessing for those who are less wealthy. Also, the scenario you describe where every home had a roof consisting of solar panels would have a devastating effect on the environment and resources just in the production of solar panels. If the production of a solar panel requires more carbon than what it saves in its life, then you may as well just use coal right? This is similar to the situation with ethanol fuel production whose expansion comes with the cost of clear cutting rain-forests and therefore more of a liability than an environmental asset.
Some of these practical limitations are not necessarily going to be overcome, so that is something that needs to be taken into account. We can not plow forward with schemes just because we agree with them in principle.
