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Solar Power from the Heavens: Sci Fi or Reality?
By June Campbell
If European engineers have their way, you may soon be making your morning toast with solar energy collected from the heavens – or at least from outer space. Space engineers in Europe and elsewhere are working on technologies that hold promise to collect solar energy in space and divert it back to earth. The plan involves launching satellites to orbit the earth. These satellites in turn will collect the sun’s energy, focus it and beam it down to us. If the strategy works, we could soon be using solar power in our residences and perhaps in electric vehicles. Spaced Based Solar Power is not a New Idea
This idea is far from new. Scientists have been pondering it for approximately thirty years. Today, engineers from a large European space company state that we have the technology to start the process in motion. Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) as it is known, is similar to our current solar power generators. The difference is that the sunshine that is collected is stored on a solar power satellite instead of on planet Earth. A Major Advantage to SBSP A major advantage to SBSP is that in outer space, conditions such as day or night, seasonal changes, weather conditions or the filtering of the earth’s atmosphere are non-existent. The ability to collect the rays is constant and never ending. If in geostationary orbit, a solar power satellite would receive light from the sun more than 99% of the time. The satellite would be in the Earth’s shadow only during the spring and fall equinoxes. Even then, the satellite’s ability to collect solar energy would be affected negatively for only around an hour and fifteen minutes during the night. Demands for power are at their minimum at that time. The Challenges with Extraterrestrial Solar Power However, extraterrestrial solar power comes with its own set of challenges. The issue that has defied researchers up to this point is the question of how to transmit the energy from space back down to earth. Clearly using wires is out of the question. The Europeans scientists believe that infrared laser beams are the solution to the transmission problem.
The Outlook
If all goes according to plan, researchers at EADS Astrium will be revealing a working prototype in five years time, give or take. The prototype will demonstrate a space power station that can beam us as much as 20kW of power. In time, the scientists envision a station network that provides energy round the clock – but minus the dangers inherent in fossil fuels or nuclear power. As one might suspect, the cost of solar energy from space is higher than the cost of generating solar energy on earth. However, space based solar power is clean, environmentally friendly and is a power source that will never deplete. Astrium anticipates networking internationally to supply electricity to homes and residences. In the future, they envision the advent of electric vehicles such as cargo ships and tankers. Elsewhere on Planet Earth Interest in solar power from space has materialized from other areas as well. In the fall of 2009, Japan revealed a plan to launch a space satellite that could transmit enough electricity to serve 300,000 residences. They hope to have the first satellite in orbit by 2030. Elsewhere, in the US, the State of California has negotiated with a space company to design satellites to beam power back to earth. Although no one expects space based solar power to take the place of traditional power stations any time soon, it is one more technology to help protect our planet.
If You Can't Wait for Space Solar Power For those not wanting to wait for solar power from above, consider installing your own home solar panels to generate your home electricity. If you do it yourself, the cost is less than a thousand dollars. Check out Green Power Easy for information and a DIY Solar Power Plan. |
Green Power Easy -- DIY PLan
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WOW, June, well researched and great intel. I checked out green power easy and need to study it more.
Thanks for sharing.
Best to you.
Frederick
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
It's an interesting concept, for sure. Thanks for dropping by
Very interesting June. I suppose anything is possible. A lot of things unimaginable say 20 years ago are now part of everyday life, after all.
 |  | odls Jan 30, 2010 10:47 | |
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Yes indeed. I remember when most of us thought computers were only good for storing recipes. LOL
I can see where not having clouds or other weather to deal with could be an advantage.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
For sure. Once the satellite is out of the earth's atmosphere, there is nothing separating it from direct solar rays. Thanks for commenting.
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