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Land Requirements for Solar Electricity Alternatives

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Geographical Dimensions of Energy

Part of the book series: The GeoJournal Library ((GEJL,volume 5))

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Abstract

A major consideration prior to constructing direct or indirect solar electricity facilities is the quantity of land required. A review of existing and proposed solar electricity installations reveals a very wide range of land (or water) surface areas that would be required to produce a standardized 100 MWe. These range from under 1000 acres (400 ha.) for waste-to-energy plants, pumped storage, and parabolic dishes and troughs, to over 10,000 acres (4000 ha.) for standard hydroelectric reservoirs, OTEC, solar chimneys, and both cultivated and non-cultivated biomass. In addition, qualitative changes to the land must also be considered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, 92182, USA

    Philip R. Pryde

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  1. Philip R. Pryde
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Geography and Regional Research Institute, West Virginia University, USA

    Frank J. Calzonetti

  2. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C., USA

    Frank J. Calzonetti  & Barry D. Solomon  & 

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© 1985 D. Reidel Publishing Company

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Pryde, P.R. (1985). Land Requirements for Solar Electricity Alternatives. In: Calzonetti, F.J., Solomon, B.D. (eds) Geographical Dimensions of Energy. The GeoJournal Library, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5416-8_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5416-8_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8890-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5416-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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