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Tech_AllBodies t1_jan6jam wrote

Headline is incorrect, it was 0.2% of the land surface required, not 0.2% of the total surface (i.e. including ocean).

Added context was also given, that currently 12.5% of the land surface is used for farming.

So, only ~1/60th the amount of land used for farming is needed to power 100% of the world on renewables plus storage.

On top of that, it was pointed out this is a pessimistic estimate, as it didn't account for offshore wind, or using the land of the wind/solar farm for any dual-use purpose (e.g. agrivoltaics).

EDIT: Thought I should also add that Tesla said they will be publishing a full white paper on this soon, and all the articles written right now are just based on the overview presentation, not the fine detail.

So, these articles may lack detail, speculate, and/or get things wrong.

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pinkfootthegoose t1_janiv9u wrote

also surface could include being on top of already existing structures. like homes, parking lots, warehouses etc.

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Tech_AllBodies t1_janjdi4 wrote

Yes, another good point, they did mention this and say that wasn't accounted for either.

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altmorty t1_janjxjb wrote

And even waste lands like landfills unfit for other purposes. Not all land is equal, after all.

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pinkfootthegoose t1_jankuh9 wrote

true. you can even put them on coal ash pits.

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SandAndAlum t1_japl9hy wrote

Or unremediated uranium mines. Lowers the water use to keep from poisoning everything downwind too.

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