OK, so I have made the bold statement that it is, in fact, quite simple to build a solar panel large enough to produce hydrogen cleanly. Can I back it up? Fortunately, I don’t have to. Justin Sutton is the genius. All I have to do is give you a quick snapshot of the concept. Trust me. When I’m done, you will see that Justin derives a broad economic impact by using solar energy.
Several threads back, I showed you the image above. It highlights the conduit cluster which runs inside the rail on which Justin’s Hydrogen Superhighway rides. On top of that shell are solar panels, the blue blocks. Even with the most modest calculations of photovoltaic panel efficiency, on a sunny day, the Interstate Traveler will produce more than a megawatt of electricity per hour per mile of rail. To put it in perspective, when built nationwide, the Interstate Traveler will produce the equivalent electricity of building a Hoover Dam in each state.
Imagine the national economic impact by using solar energy along all of our major highways in the form of the Interstate Traveler!
Now, last time, I indicated that Justin’s Hydrogen Superhighway moves us away from the chicken-and-egg scenario of needing clean energy but being unable to produce hydrogen through the power of the sun. Here’s what I meant.
The Interstate Traveler will be constructed outward from steel mills and other manufacturing facilities, in something of a ripple effect. When the process is complete, the entire rail system will be interconnected. This means that, in theory, a panel in Orlando could produce electricity at 8:00 in the morning before dawn comes to Seattle and ship it cross country for immediate use. In effect, we’ll have one solar panel which is 18 inches wide and 54,000 miles long (the approximate length of existing Eisenhower Interstate Highway system)!
I call that an economic impact by using solar energy. It will allow us to move faster and cleaner than we do today but also embrace mass transit without sacrificing our cars if we do not wish to do so. The Hydrogen Superhighway is precisely what its name describes.
Sustainable Justice For All!
Corbett Kroehler
Ask
a Question or Leave a Comment
(0)
Digg This 
Del.icio.us