+ Solar Panels in Orbit

A solar powered satellite or SPS is a concept which places a satellite in high orbit around earth which collects solar energy via solar panels, and then using microwave power transmission the satellite would beam that energy to a large antenna placed on earth. Both Wikipedia and Space.com give some interesting information regarding solar powered satellites.

Collecting solar energy in space has many benefits, most importantly the amount of sunlight is unaffected by day/night, weather, and season. In space, the sun is always shinning. While many draw backs exist, including cost, environmental and health concerns about beaming electricity from space to earth, and feasibility. This is still a promising means of better utilizing the sun’s energy.

While a lot of research is being done internationally to lower the cost of a SPS, I believe this concept will never see practical implementation due to a cheaper and easier achieved sustainable source of energy arising. But concepts such as these should be explored, and hopefully can lead to the emergence of other and possibly better concepts dealing with sustainable energy creation.