How much corn field area would be required if you were to replace all of the oil consumed in the USA with ethanol from corn? Use the following assumptions: a corn field is 1.5% efficient at converting radiant energy into stored chemical potential energy; conversion from corn to ethanol is 17% efficient; assume a 1.2:1 ratio for farm equipment to energy production; a 50% growing season; and, 200 W/ m² solar insolation. What would the length of each side of a square be to have such an area?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is 5 x 10¹² m²; 2200 km on a side

How Much Corn Field Area Would Be Required If You