Getting Solar Power from Space?

Question

Well, our planet needs a new energy resource, as fossil fuels will eventually run out, right? Well, instead of building spacecrafts and launching them into space in means of discovery, let's use spacecrafts to launch solar-panels into outer space? If we do this, we can send probes near to the sun and soon we will have a "bridge" of solar-panels in space (which take solar-power from the sun, and transmit them in wave form to solar-panels nearer to Earth) then, we receive the solar energy from the nearest solar-panel in space (we'll receive tons of energy) and convert it into Electricity. This electricity can replace the deady fossil fuels.

Answer 1

Do you mean solar panel installed in the space will transmit the solar energy in a wave form to solar panels near to earth?????

Which type of WAVE FORM?????

Answer 2

Dear Sir:

I wish that I could inform you that you have hit upon the one idea that will save us all in the future. However, I must point out that there are serious flaws in your suggestion which will prevent its adoption long into the forseeable future.

1.) Space payloads (The things we shoot out into space, not including the rocket and all of its fuel) cost about $ 800,000 per pound (or more) to send into space. So, costs for transporting massive solar panels into space to supply only a tiny fraction of the Earth's power requirements would be astronomical and, therefore, totally out of the question.

2.) Transmission of power from the space panels to Earth is a major problem since the Earth is spinning around at roughly 1200 Miles Per Hour. the space panels would have to be fixed in space and the Earth would still be spinning, so that no beam type transmission would be practical. A beam would only shine on the receiving panels for a short time.

3.) Development of a power beam transmitting device is a future project, not a here and now working system. Considerations have to be made about steerage and over
shoot to prevent the incineration of millions of animals and people as the beam wanders all over the surface of the Earth. Assuming the objective is to transmit massive amounts of power to Earth, even side scatter from the main beam would be lethal to anyone in the nearby areas.

4.) Your solar panel idea was a good one up until it became a space oriented project. Keep the Solar Panels on Earth and you will achieve what you wished to do much faster and much cheaper without all the headaches involved in converting the power into some kind of beam or ray gun, then converting it back into power again on Earth. Solar Panels work fine on Earth while the Sun shines.

Answer 3

I recall reading an article about this idea in a 1970's or so edition of a popular technology magazine. I think the article mentioned orbiting solar collectors that captured radiation onto orbiting generators. The power generated will be beamed back to earth using microwaves. It was an idea then but we know now that it is not feasible. Particularly if anything crossed the beams, it would get fried. (1)

The same thing with the idea of powering airplanes using nuclear or fusion energy. Hearing about this now, we would laugh but you'ld be surpised to know that this idea was also the cover story of a popular technology magazine.

With an open mind, we know that this idea was thought of almost 40 years ago as a result of the energy crisis at that time. And this idea is still not viable today. This means that we have not progressed much in the field of alternative energy.

But thanks to those who come up with the ideas, we do know which options are more feasible today. Because of the shortcomings of solar cells, why not consider other alternatives instead. We know that solar radiation causes solar winds. Solar winds to drive solar sails (2). Why not build a generator that would funnel all those charged particles into a coil and generate electricity? Or an orbiting solar wind generator? No ideas yet on how to store and transfer the energy back to earth. But keep those ideas coming.

Answer 4

Well why not use the sunlight that falls on the planet first before we build huge structures in space? After all the light that falls on the Saharan desert alone in one year (roughly calculated on the whole area of the Sahara with the light converted to electricity using off the shelf solar panels) contains 20 times what the whole world uses in one year. So why isn´t anyone doing it? The price tag of course. Just maintaining and replacing all those panels that breakdown would cost huge sums. In space maintenance would be even more expensive. The panels in space would have to be self maintaining and completely automated. And then there is the little problem of transporting the power generated to where it is needed. Simply beaming it down would have to be seriously scrutinized because it means that we would be altering earths radiation budget. As in we would be getting more. And because of what we are seeing right now with the climate going haywire because of global warming, making the planet even warmer may not be the best idea.

Answer 5

Guide To Solar Power : http://SolarPower.siopu.com/?qUJ

Answer 6

yeah, i guess that could be a reality soon enough, but no one ever saw fossil fuels as a means of energy at one stage, maybe another easier way of getting energy is right under our noses or above them-the sun :)

Answer 7

In area there is not any environment, so the sunlight is plenty extra extreme and effectual. photograph voltaic panels artwork o.k. in area. Batteries are heavy and have a constrained lifetime. Sending batteries into area is expensive.

Answer 8

every project should be commercially viable to take off, if energy from other source like fossil, atomic, hydro etc. is cheaper, this project cant take off. ideology is not sufficient for any mass project.

Answer 9

And will you pay 1000$ to have a light bulb on for half an hour?

Answer 10

mayb this is possible during the furture.... but today technology is not tat advance to do tat