Is this the key to a clean energy, low-carbon future? How much square footage of rooftop is there in the USA?
Solar shingles
More here:
Successful rooftop photovoltaics
"According to US Census data, the rooftops of the United States alone offer over 200 billion square feet of potential surface area for the installation of PV systems. Assuming only 25% of this area is suitable for unobstructed and continuous PV operation, the total energy-generating potential exceeds 50,000 megawatts, or the equivalent of over 10 Grand Coulee Dams."
I think it is. Now why would I, a nuclear power advocate, think that this is a good idea while solar panel farms aren't? Real simple; the space to install rooftop solar shingles is already there; solar panel farms have to get built somewhere else. And you have to transmit that power from where it is generated to where it is needed. By contrast, rooftop solar is right where you need it. Now, let's be clear; in the dark and cold of winter nights, solar either way is not going to help you (this is where storage technlogy is sorely needed) and that is also when the nuclear plant has to step up and provide its no-carbon electricity until the sun shines again.
Grand Coulee Dam: 6800 MW; by contrast, Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant is 1700 MW.
Here's an example of a more traditional solar PV installation on a school.
Wilmington Friends school to use new campus solar power system
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