Beaming solar power from space is closer to reality after breakthrough Japanese test | Microwave transmission from satellites could deliver round-the-clock solar power
https://www.techspot.com/news/108097-beaming-solar-power-space-closer-reality-after-breakthrough.html
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From the article: Recent tests have proven that beaming solar energy to Earth from low-orbiting satellites is theoretically possible with existing technology. If implemented, the method could resolve several flaws of conventional solar panels, providing a continuous source of renewable energy while occupying minimal space.
Researchers from Japan Space Systems (JSS) recently beamed energy wirelessly from a speeding jet to antennae on the ground. The successful experiment confirms the viability of numerous tools that might eventually transmit solar power from space to Earth.
Low-orbit solar panels that beam energy to the surface have multiple advantages over ground-based solar farms. Without interference from the Earth’s atmosphere, they can collect several times more energy. The arrays would send power to Earth in the form of microwaves, which lose only five percent of their energy when passing through the atmosphere.
Furthermore, maintaining proper orbit enables the transmission of solar energy at night, ensuring an uninterrupted, round-the-clock supply. Scientists theorize that solar energy from space might supplement the energy needed to power various land and air vehicles, further reducing carbon emissions. Ground-based receivers would also cover far smaller areas than typical solar or wind farms.
However, some obstacles remain. Significant amounts of energy are lost during conversion to and from microwave emission. Furthermore, all artificial satellites must deal with micrometeorites and the prospect of creating space debris. Some also theorize that orbital microwave emitters could become weapons of mass destruction.
I mean it was always possible, the real issue is just how do you get x mount of them into the orbit without causing issues such as them getting taken down by any x reason. Let alone, the cost to do that. By the time you added up all the cost, its normally cheaper just to collect as much as you can during the day and store into a battery at night. A battery will always be needed either direction you go to store said power too.
Really, we just need another way to make use of the solar panels personally. One that collects the solar during the day… and does something at night. For example, researches have already proven they can release IR heat back into space and capture that release to generate a small amount of power. While its not good enough to really make a ton of power, its one idea that could be explored more to figure out any other method to try and make dual use of a solar panel.
More so, I would argue, battery storage is the bigger problem than just generating the power. I also wonder how these system work when there is “weather” going on below too. Some of that does struggle when cloud cover hits, so if putting them into space also still has those same issues, what does it fix that add more ground panels can’t?