Space Based Solar Power

Overview

It seems no matter how we extract energy, there is always some negative impact. Fossil fuels are detrimental to the environment, and any reusable energy sources don’t generate enough energy. But what if there was an energy source more powerful than coal, natural gas, and nuclear power combined?  One that was limitless, generated zero carbon emissions, and would let our atmosphere recover. This energy source does indeed exist. It is known as space-based solar power, and it is the future.

Spaced-based solar power (SBSP) is the collection of the sun’s energy from space that gets  transmitted back to Earth. It is so effective because unlike grounded solar panels, SBSP isn’t affected by nighttime, or reflection and absorption by the atmosphere. Energy transmitting satellites collect high intensity, uninterrupted solar radiation by using giant mirrors to reflect huge amounts of solar rays onto smaller solar collectors. This radiation is then wirelessly beamed to Earth in a safe and controlled way as either a microwave or laser beam. For economic reasons, the technology has not been developed yet, however it is closer to being a reality than many think. 

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