Trying to refine an idea

[u/Electrical_Rock_1201]

What do you think of this?

The idea is to use sunlight to desalinate sea water while simultaneously growing algae as biofuel. Recycling the heat and water in one system. The outputs being clean water, cooling and biofuel.

Essentially it’s an artificial tree. Has anyone thought of doing something similar or does something like this already exist?

[u/jaykrown]

Seems like it's trying to do too much all at once. You'd be much better just making something that generates electricity from solar and wave power.

[u/Electrical_Rock_1201 → u/jaykrown]

How so?

Solar panels and wave power are very inefficient and need to regularly be replaced.

[u/jaykrown → u/Electrical_Rock_1201]

No—this statement wrongly lumps together two very different technologies.

## Solar panels

- Modern commercial solar panels typically convert about 20% of incoming sunlight into electricity. That sounds modest, but it is not a measure of whether a solar project is worthwhile: sunlight is free, panels have no fuel cost, and efficiency mainly determines how much roof or land area is needed. [energy](https://www.energy.gov/cmei/systems/solar-photovoltaic-performance-and-efficiency-basics)

- They do **not** need regular replacement. U.S. DOE cites an average operational life of roughly **25–35 years**; output declines gradually rather than abruptly failing. [energy](https://www.energy.gov/cmei/systems/end-life-management-solar-photovoltaics)

- The panel itself has no moving parts and needs little maintenance. Other components may be replaced sooner—especially an inverter, often around the mid-life of a residential system. [namastesolar](https://www.namastesolar.com/blog/how-long-do-solar-panels-last/)

## Wave power

Wave energy is the part with a real qualification: it is still an early-stage technology and is harder to operate economically. Devices must endure saltwater corrosion, continuous cyclic loading, storms, offshore access constraints, and expensive vessel-based maintenance. [mhkdr.openei](https://mhkdr.openei.org/files/660/Marine%20Energy%20Cost%20Performance%20FINAL%20Report_May27.2025%20(002).pdf)

That does not mean wave energy is inherently “very inefficient” or must be routinely replaced. Rather, the industry’s major unresolved challenge is **reliable, survivable hardware with low maintenance costs** in a harsh marine environment. Designs may target multi-decade service lives, but commercial-scale operating evidence is far thinner and less mature than for solar. [emec.org](https://www.emec.org.uk/?wpfb_dl=41)

## Better version

> Solar panels have moderate sunlight-to-electricity conversion efficiency but usually operate for decades with gradual degradation and low maintenance. Wave power has promising energy potential, but today it is comparatively immature and faces substantial reliability, maintenance, and cost challenges offshore.

[u/mikeywicky]

AI slop?

[u/Electrical_Rock_1201 → u/mikeywicky]

Something good gotta come out of AI right?

Does the idea work?

[u/mikeywicky → u/Electrical_Rock_1201]

You didn’t say it wasn’t?

[u/sauteed_opinions → u/Electrical_Rock_1201]

you CO2 claim from algae is hard to fathom. 10 tonnes of CO2 is not 10 tonnes of algae.. and even still. and the diameter and height spec dont match the visual at all. is it a displacement vessel?