China Wind versus Solar Power

I read an article this week that mentioned that China is investing heavily in wind power. They are not investing nearly as much in solar. They make the solar panels but export most of them. I researched to find out why.

First I learned that China has wind power onshore and offshore. Inner Mongolia has lots of wind and can generate large amounts of power. The problem China appears to be having is linking the wind power to the main power grid. Any country that can build the rails they have built can solve this one.

Second China has a large coastline. Water has less surface roughness, especially deep water. Wind speeds tend to be higher on water than land. This will work better. The water is close to the main population areas of China.

Wind power has problems. The turbines can interfere with ground radar so they need to be away from airports and military installations. They make noise so neighborhoods do not want them nearby. They are not something that many people want in their view.

Then I learned more about solar power. The panels are costly. The panels are made out of materials that require high maintenance. Also, I read that the average amount of sunlight hitting any one area for the needed length of time is small. Therefore the panels have to be larger to obtain enough power.

Heating the surface does not help. Apparently someone tried it. One report says that the most efficient energy collectors tend to run close to the temperature of the environment around them.

According to one report China could meet all of its electricity needs from wind power by 2030. I have no doubt they will.

Every time I hear about wind power I remember the cartoon with the bees looking at the wind turbine farm. One bee said “there is no nectar and the petals swat you”.