If it is more ificcient to produce electricity in space from solar panels, would it be posible to have a geo stationary satalite to send the electricity down to earth in a long cable. Could this solve the worlds energy needs.
2007-11-10 20:31:58 · 9 answers · asked by spike 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Solar panels work better in space because
1. there is no atmosphere to effect how much sunlight gets to the solar arrays
2. there are never any clouds
3. in GEO there is less blockage from the sun.
However, the solar panels would have to remain pointed at the sun by either rotating the panels or the whole satellite.
It is theoretically possible to run cables to GEO. Such cables would have to be extremely strong to stand up to tidal forces, disturbances on the atmosphere, etc. The technology for this has not been developed yet. Let's just say that there are a lot of issues to work out. Most likely the first place a space tether will be use is the Moon where there wouldn't be any atmospheric effects.
Also, this kind of project would be extremely expensive. It would be much much cheaper to just build more solar panels on earth.
2007-11-11 03:16:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well not counting the fact that everything would have to be clear cut to place the solar panels it would make the planet cooler. The greenhouse effect works because the atmosphere allows visible light to enter from the sun. Then when the light hits the surface it is absorbed and then released as infrared light which the nitrogen blocks in. Using reflective surfaces would prevent the light from being absorbed and released as infrared. Instead it would just pass back out of the atmosphere no matter how much CO2 where in the air.
2016-04-03 07:13:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they could send it to satellites inside the atmosphere?
I am pretty sure (not positive and too lazy to look) that the telescope in space is run on solar power. And when NASA sends out the probes to check other planets they are partially solar powered as well.
But we actually get enough sun on the ground as we need to utilize solar energy. The problem is the expense of converting the electric plants to solar. Not to mention oil wealthy politicians who fight the conversion.
2007-11-10 20:39:33 · answer #3 · answered by blueink 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no atmosphere to break up the solar rays. Do you want cables hanging down from space? They'd probably disintegrate wiith the icy temperature up there in the stratosphere. Try to be sensible eh?
2007-11-10 20:35:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many years ago the idea was suggested to put up solar arrays in orbit and beam down the power in microwaves. Then quickly discarded amongst other things due to concern that if antenna pointing went misaligned off the reception antenna, the wandering microwave rays would "cook" anything in their path.
2007-11-10 20:47:32 · answer #5 · answered by paramo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Homemade Solar Power Videos - http://SolarPower.siopu.com/?ckb
2017-04-06 05:00:56 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im not really sure if being in space would make much of a differance, id say tey're probably about the same!
2007-11-10 21:25:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the technology is the same , the only diffference is the orbit in space is longer . (ie sunset and sunrise differ)
2007-11-10 20:36:21 · answer #8 · answered by DSV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The duration of sunshine may be more; that is all.
2007-11-11 00:02:56 · answer #9 · answered by Arasan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋