Criswell says the collected solar energy could be converted into low intensity microwaves that get beamed back to earth.
Moon solar panels beaming power to earth.
Lunar solar power lsp arrays would receive higher energy density from sunlight than we get through earth s atmosphere avoid weather and could beam energy to any part of earth facing the moon.
That s the basic reason for considering the moon.
These giant space mirrors could send sunlight back to earth after dark researchers are trying to create reflectors that can divert the sun s light to power plants on the.
The key to lunar based solar on earth is microwave transmission.
Space based solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in outer space and distributing it to earth potential advantages of collecting solar energy in space include a higher collection rate and a longer collection period due to the lack of a diffusing atmosphere and the possibility of placing a solar collector in an orbiting location where there is no night.
Unlike the sun the moon does not generate its own light energy.
Lsp could theoretically even satisfy 100 percent of our energy needs.
When the us air force s x 37b autonomous spaceplane launched into orbit for the sixth time this week it was carrying an experiment to explore the potential for beaming solar energy from space to.
It intercepts about a hundred times more solar energy than you need for a prosperous earth.
That would be approximately 18 tw today and possibly 24 tw by mid century.
These panels convert solar power into either a microwave or a laser and beam uninterrupted power down to earth.
The two most commonly discussed designs for sbsp are a large deeper space microwave transmitting satellite and a smaller nearer laser transmitting satellite.
The device would then either convert the energy into microwaves or lasers to beam back to a receiving station on earth which would then convert the transmission back into electrical energy and deliver it direct to a power grid.
The idea of capturing solar energy in space where the sun never stops shining and beaming it to earth may seem far fetched but such technology is further along than most realize.
A power generation device in space would convert solar energy into electrical energy just as solar panels do on earth.
A solar panel array placed on the moon would generate electricity during earth s nighttime hours because it is receiving direct sunlight containing photons.
Beaming solar energy from the moon could solve earth s energy crisis constant solar energy and helium 3 are good reasons to consider our natural satellite by david warmflash.
The reflected light seen from earth does not contain a significant number of photons so in most cases moon light will not cause the panels to generate electricity.