Author Question: What are some of the problems that need to be overcome before solar power can become a thoroughly ... (Read 47 times)

FButt

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 519
What are some of the problems that need to be overcome before solar power can become a thoroughly mainstream form of energy production?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How much of Earth's primary productivity is used or preempted by humans?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



scottmt

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 322
Answer to Question 1

Firstly, solar power has to be cost effective. We will not switch to more environmentally friendly forms of energy unless renewable energy is cheaper. Secondly, because solar power is only available during the day, a backup form of energy is required for nighttime use. Finally, some areas of the world simply do not get enough consistent sunlight for solar power to be a viable option.

Answer to Question 2

Since humans are at the top of the biomass pyramid it can be expected that a very high percentage of Earth's primary productivity is used by humans and other top-level organisms. However, because of their place in the ecosystem and tendency to treat the ecosystem in an unsustainable fashion, humans use and preempt the Earth's primary productivity at unreasonably high rates: approximately 30 of the Earth's total production.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question


 

Did you know?

Fungal nail infections account for up to 30% of all skin infections. They affect 5% of the general population—mostly people over the age of 70.

Did you know?

A strange skin disease referred to as Morgellons has occurred in the southern United States and in California. Symptoms include slowly healing sores, joint pain, persistent fatigue, and a sensation of things crawling through the skin. Another symptom is strange-looking, threadlike extrusions coming out of the skin.

Did you know?

Approximately 15–25% of recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage. However, many miscarriages often occur before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

Did you know?

In inpatient settings, adverse drug events account for an estimated one in three of all hospital adverse events. They affect approximately 2 million hospital stays every year, and prolong hospital stays by between one and five days.

Did you know?

ACTH levels are normally highest in the early morning (between 6 and 8 A.M.) and lowest in the evening (between 6 and 11 P.M.). Therefore, a doctor who suspects abnormal levels looks for low ACTH in the morning and high ACTH in the evening.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library