The world currently uses about 13 terawatts  (TW) of energy, and it is predicted by 2050, an additional 10 TW will be required. Not only that, the additional energy required will be have to be carbon neutral. Considering all of this, what is the role of solar energy?

( Hydroelectric energy could provide about 0.5 TW, tides and oceans could chip in 2 TW and wind power could blow 2 – 4 TW) Solar energy striking the earth amounts to 120,000 TW, yet only 0.01 – 0.04 of current energy usage is derived from solar sources. In theory, one hour’s solar irradiation is enough to supply a year’s global energy demands.Solar flux at ground level is approximately 340 W/m2 in the world’s sunniest areas.

-The world currently uses about 13 terawatts  (TW) of energy, and it is predicted by 2050, an additional 10 TW will be required. Not only that, the additional energy required will be have to be carbon neutral. Considering all of this, what is the role of solar energy?

　 ( Hydroelectric　energy could provide about 0.5 TW, tides and oceans could chip in 2 TW and wind power could blow 2 – 4 TW) Solar energy striking the earth amounts to 120,000 TW, yet only 0.01 – 0.04　of current energy usage is derived from solar sources.　In theory, one hour’s solar irradiation is enough to supply a year’s global energy demands.Solar flux at ground level is approximately　340 W/m2 in the world’s sunniest areas.