biomass and productivity of the desert?

Question

what is the biomass and net productivity of the desert. cant find it on any websites. thanks

Answer 1

the problem with biomass conversion of solar energy on earth's deserts is that biological organisms require water, which is in short supply. however, where water is available, bioconversion, for example growing palm trees is a cheap way to convert sunlight into the plant oils used as feedstock make biodiesel

Desert energy harvesting is currently being done by concentrated solar collection. The latest facility, south of las vegas, uses parabolic troughs to focus sunlight on black tubes filled with oil, the heated oil is pumped to heat exchangers where the heat makes steam, which turns conventional turbines to generate electricity.

look for a chart of solar INSOLANCE for a measure of the amount of energy reaching the earth. The numbers are amazing, in las vegas this energy peaks at 7 KW per square meter! 1 KW per square meter is typical on a cloudless day almost anywhere on earth.

this is the same energy you burn in your car as gasoline, it just was harvested by plants many millions of years ago.

what i am trying to asy is "All energy on earth is Solar Energy" the only exceptions are gravitational heat, fission, and fusion energy.