Solar Power in Space, For Tomorrow
Although solar power has grown in popularity on Earth, it is much more than a 1-planet type of energy. Space-based solar power (SBSP) is designed to capture solar energy in space and transmit it to the ground.
How Space-Based Solar Power would Work
Solar Energy Collection:
It consists of large solar panels located in space, usually at geosynchronous orbit.
Panels are specialized in directly converting solar energy into DC electricity
PRICING: Power Transfer and Transmission
DC electricity is then transformed (via a microwave or a laser) into starlight.
This energy is then transmitted towards Earth in tightly focused beams.
Earth-Based Reception:
Specialized antenna or receivers on earth collect the beamed energy and convert it back to Electric [].
Benefits of Space-Based Solar Power
Decreased Interruption Lengths:** Space-based solar power systems could be constantly generating energy, immune to weather or the time of day.
High Energy Density: The sunlight above the atmosphere is much more energetic than it gets to the ground, making this a more efficient form of energy harvesting.
Worldwide Reach:** One space-based solar solution can deliver electricity over a generous portion of our planet’s surface.
Alex’s Challenges and Limitations
Expensive Upfront Costs:** The building and deployment of space solar power systems as this scale are very expensive;
Energy Transmission and Reception Technical Difficulties: It is challenging to develop and deploy technologies that transmit energy wirelessly and then capture it within our technology, devices etc.
Environmental Impact: The environmental impact of launching and sustaining systems in space should be considered.
Possibility of Space Based Solar Power
Space-based solar power is an emerging technology — or, more accurately, the idea of a new paradigm — that could change the energy landscape. With the advancement in technology and falling costs, this high abstract idea could end up becoming a reality but a great source of vast clean sustainable energy for future generations.
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