Environmentalists, renewable energy advocates, and solar energy promoters tout the supposed benefits of solar energy. We know the problems: inefficient conversion of sunrays into electricity, intermittent energy generation, the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) reflex that prevents power lines and solar farms from being built; and the need for massive subsidies that would be better spent in other ways to generate power. Even environmentalists have opposed massive solar farms that disrupt the ecology. Now comes another example of the manifold problems that result when promoters and politicians get together to concoct a solar power venture. This time, the place is a small town in Spain and the time is now: Two years ago, this gritty mining city hosted a brief 21st-century gold rush. Long famous for coal, Puertollano discovered another energy source it had overlooked: the relentless, scorching sun.Armed with generous incentives from the Spanish government to jump-start a national solar energy...(Read Full Post)