>Al, thanks for the calculations: Validation, except he went for New Mexico and was using older less efficient panels:
>
>http://modernsurvivalblog.com/alternative-energy/amazing-total-area-of-solar-panels-to-power-the-united-states/
>
>This is doable for the USA IMHO, but the issue would be cost effective storage of energy somehow so the lights can shine at night or in a storm. Batteries cost a bomb. Maybe pump water up behind a dam for hydro overnight, or split water into its combustible parts?


efficiency goes down the drain (in that case down the pump). You loose about 70%.