I believe that (expensive, politically problematic) high voltage DC lines can transmit electricity across the US (or europe, or china) with minimal losses. The more serious problem may be that the sun doesn't shine 24 hours a day. Though that can probably be tackled by charging all our electric cars during the day, building dams for pumped storage, charging different rates for electricity at different times, etc.

So, if solar has a cost per KWH the same as coal, it will hugely expand, but it won't put coal out of business unless it becomes even cheaper (or coal becomes more expensive).

T.Boone's mistake was backing McCain in the presidential election. I lost trust in him when he was willing to back policies that were polar opposite to what he claims to be in favor of.

Based on a quick glance at the data here:

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/states/hf.jsp?incfile=sep_sum/pl...

Florida, Texas, and California seem to be the leaders of the energy-use pack by a large margin (making up ~25% of the nation's energy consumption).

In my mind those three are the sunniest of states, leading me to the very unscientific conclusion that most energy IS consumed in dry/sunny places.