Now is the Time, Arizona is the Place!

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS NOW IS THE TIME, ARIZONA IS THE PLACE!

The idea for this "Solar Center, Arizona, U.S.A." edition came to us through our special contributing editor, Dan Halacy, who has lived with more solar energy theory, logic, science and development than anyone we know.

We will be the first to admit that, on the surface, "Solar Energy" lacks the romantic soul stirring appeal of "Jaws," "The Exorcist," "Chinatown" or "The Godfather." Beyond that, we can testify that once through the hard dry crust of the subject, our experience has been enlightening, exciting, stimulating and far more rewarding than the aforementioned contemporary literary "classics."

The sun is much, much more than the red ball that comes up in the east, sets in the west, and goes black during eclipses. All life evolves under the influence of sunlight. It is our source of light and heat. Early civilizations used it for clock and calendar. Every day, in every way, it is becoming more and more important that we know that life on the earth would be impossible without the sun's energy.

The energy of the sun is sure! The energy of the sun is free! And the energy of the sun will continue to be available for another five billion years! The sun has already been around for some five billion years and now, in its middle age, is an incredibly hot thermonuclear furnace. At its center temperatures as hot as forty million degrees, under pressure, fuse hydrogen into heavier elements. Every second six hundred thirty million tons of hydrogen is converted into helium and almost five million tons is converted into pure energy. Now THAT is a lot of energy! And to give you an idea as to the size of the sun, its diameter is eight hundred sixty thousand miles. It would require one hundred nine earths to go across the face of the sun.

With the tremendous demands being made on our little planet's energy resources, it is essential that we explore every means of employing the infinite energy available from the sun. It will be difficult, to be sure, but our text points out what can be done! What must be done!

From THE NEWS, Mexico City, Saturday, July 5, 1975: "SOLAR ENERGY PLANT SLATED FOR MEXICO (AP) The first solar generating plant of its kind will be installed in San Luis de la Paz, Guanajuato, Mexico at the end of this year, sources here said Friday."

"The plant will produce electricity through a gas turbine fueled by solar energy and will supply a population of 10,000 persons in the 'Tonatiuh' energy program, the sources said."

"The plant is the work of the French Society for Thermal Studies and Solar Energy (SOFRETES). The turbine has been tested before Mexican and French energy officials.

"The solar energy will be used to pump water from the ground in various parts of Mexico. Sources said that up to 1,000 pumps could be installed." If the French can do it in Mexico, we can do it here in the U.S.A. This is not the time for prima donnas and special interest despots. This is the time for action! NOW - Solar Center, Arizona, U.S.A.

Many people and many hours have gone into the production of this magazine. Space does not permit mention of those whose names already appear in the text and credits. In our eagerness to remember all the others it is probable that some have been missed. Nevertheless, acknowledgement is surely due Sandy Cowen of Etcetera for her extraordinary performance in collecting and coordinating materials. Also we must make special note of David Hoyt and Herbert Wade, Jerry Kalman of Motorola, David Moore at Kitt Peak National Observatory, Rue Dolan, Fleet Space Theatre and Robert McCall, who is presently painting a giant mural at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, honoring America's moon mission. Special thanks is due A. E. (Randy) Randall, Executive Vice President, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. We gratefully acknowledge the efforts and appreciate the support of Arizona's Senators, Congressmen and their staffs.