Scientists have long dreamed of acres of photovoltaic cells – kilometer-sized solar panels – in space beaming electricity to earth, but the cost has also been astronomical.
The idea is that power would be beamed down to Earth in the form of microwaves or a laser; it would then be collected in antennas on the ground and converted to electricity.
Now, with the high price of oil, the dream may become reality. A report led by the Department of Defense National Security Space Office concludes that satellites in a sunlit orbit could generate almost as much energy as all the world’s oil reserves each year. It could transform the U.S. from an energy importer to an energy exporter.
Although critics say earth-based solar is more economical, space-based solar would operate 24 hours a day without the interference of clouds and adverse weather.
It would take about 10 years to produce significant amounts of space-based solar if we started now. It would take several generations of satellites to get the technology to reasonably priced level.
The report urges private investment in space-based solar and recommends the federal government sponsor demonstration projects and provide financial incentives.
It recommends the US government spend $10 billion over the next 10 years to build a test satellite capable of beaming 10 MW of electric power down to Earth.
The Pentagon likes the idea and thinks it can be a catalyst for the technology advance. Over a dozen space advocacy groups announced the Space Solar Alliance for Future Energy to promote space solar power. They say space-based solar power could provide more energy than fossil fuels, wind and nuclear power combined.
Loading...