Solar panels will soon be launch into space , not to power orbiter or missions to other planets , but to test the practicality of send Energy Department down to Earth . A image launch of this old dream is planned for 2023 .
No matter how cloudy the weather condition where you live , there is somewhere 100 kilometers ( 62 miles ) aside that get more sunlight than any desert ; low Earth orbit . For decade this observation has inspired the estimate to place solar cells in distance , twist sunshine into electricity , and radiate it down to Earth for use . The theme wasproposedin the 1920s , and the firsttechnical paperwas published in 1968 . At a minimum , there are no clouds to interpose , and if the panels are moved sufficiently far they can quash the Earth ’s shadow , take into account them to collect sunlight 24/7 , extinguish solar ’s intermittency job .
Caltech trusteesDonaldandBrigitteBren consider in the estimate so strongly they donated more than $ 100 million dollar bill for Caltech to explore it , in the beginning anonymously , in what is now called theSpace - found Solar Power Project(SSPP ) . The Brens are n’t investing in the musical theme and have no commercial interest in any exploitation that may come out of it . “ It demonstrate the order of magnitude of the unselfishness , " sound out Caltech ProfessorAli Hajimiri , co - film director of the SSPP , in astatement . " They really require to change the Earth and truly see this as an chance to make a lasting difference for the planet , while bring forth a broad range of novel technologies with impact in many areas such as wireless power , communication , and sensing . "
Bren ’s share will literally get the project off the earth , but there remain very big questions about whether the idea will ever be viable compared to using battery or other storage for electricity produce from ground - based solar . Once the electricity has been produced it needs to be beamed back to Earth , which the SSPP plans to do with radio frequency electric power . This then needs to be captured and turn back into electricity , inevitably with some loss , before it is ready to expend .
The initial prototypes will measure 1.8 meters by 1.8 meters ( 6 feet by 6 feet ) and weigh about 4 kilograms ( 9 Pound ) , a tenth of the lightest solar jail cell antecedently manufactured . Conversion to wireless frequency waves for transfer is desegregate into the cells , avoiding the need to concentrate might at a central full point .
Many satellite have larger solar arrays , so we make out this is possible . However , it ’s still very expensive . After all , it cost an estimated$250,000to take a person on a suborbital joyride .
In addition to the technical problems the project must face , it will also draw some other remonstration . Even the great unwashed unsympathetic to 5 G confederacy hypothesis or taradiddle of wildfire - causingspace optical maser , may be distressed about the targeting of beams carry the energy to power a city .
Moreover , ground - based solar tycoon promise to democratise electrical energy production . Some of the population can afford to put solar panels on their roofs , back up up with a battery organization , kick in themselves independency from power society . place solar power go the opposite fashion , almost for sure mesh on scales beyond anyone but governing and the world ’s largest companies .
On the other hand , even if the musical theme never work as be after , the advances in ultralight solar collection and transmission may have other the States that warrant the investment .
