Tesla founder, Elon Musk sees a future where electric cars are powered by solar-generated electricity, according to clean tech website, PV-Tech.org.
Speaking at the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas, US last month, the billionaire businessman, who’s corporate successes include PayPal and SpaceX as well as his electric car firm, says that without sustainable energy we’ll face a “massive economic collapse”.
He said: “We're taking trillions of tonnes of carbon dioxide buried deep in the earth's crust and putting it in the atmosphere and that migrates to the oceans and causes acidification. So we're essentially running this massive chemical experiment on the oceans and atmosphere.
"Why are we running this massive chemical experiment on our oceans and atmosphere when we know we're going to have to find an alternative anyway?"
As an alternative, Musk puts his faith in solar, proposing that the US could cover uninhabited areas with solar panels: "If you took just a small section of US, a 100 miles by 100 miles corner of Utah or Nevada and carpeted it with high efficiency panels you could supply the electricity for the whole United States," he said.
“I feel strongly that solar power will be the single largest source of sustainable energy in terms of power productions that humans consume. But the earth is almost entirely solar powered already.
"So we're really talking about taking a little portion of that energy converting it to electricity for use in human economic activity," he added.
Musk is even putting his money where his mouth is as chairman of solar business, SolarCity. SolarCity, established in 2006, installs solar panels for homes and businesses in states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Washington D.C.
As Tesla launches its latest electric car model, the long-awaited follow-up to the Roadster, the Model S, the company’s founder seems ready for a new challenge. Credited with making electric cars sexy, the next mission is to make alternative fuels, in particular solar, equally attractive to investors.
Source: PV-tech.org
Faye has been writing about cars and environmental issues since 2007. A suspected eco-warrior working on the corporate inside, Faye mainly likes the weird, quirky vehicles that show a distinct environmental advantage. Her ideal car has enough room to fit a bale of hay in the boot. When not working, she likes nothing better than to head out on her bicycle and explore the countryside.
Extraordinary
Elon Musk is an Extraordinary Man,
He bought his first computer at age 10 and taught himself how to program and by the age of 12 he sold his first commercial software for about $500. So he was an entrepreneur from young.
He is tackling climate change head on with his electric car company Tesla and he his continuing the financial support of space en devours with Space X.
And he is only 41 years young and he continues to change the world in a positive way.
Information with Inspiration
http://www.isextraordinary.com/elon-musk
September 21, 2012
Dave Rauschkolb
I've been driving an all electric Nissan Leaf for 8 months powered 100% by solar panels on my roof. I have a Tesla Signature Performance model coming in October. I will never buy another gas powered car ever again. The future is now and Mr. Musk is correct. We are fortunate to have the voice of Elon Musk to help bring the electric car into the mainstream. It is true, Solar will lead the way.
Not buying gas is saving me $3000 a year in not buying gas and the solar panels cover the $500 a year to charge the Leaf. It's a no brainer for me. No gas, no coal; just free, clean sunshine. I am loving every minute I drive an all electric car and can't wait until my "S" hits my driveway.
September 04, 2012