California Okays Solar Energy Produced In Space!
The idea of generating solar energy from space has seemed like science fiction. No longer! California has licensed the first solar energy project in space.
Talk about going where not man has gone before! The solar revolution just picked up a lot of speed with the news out of California. The California Public Utilities Commission governs the energy business in the state. On December 3rd, it approved an agreement wherein Pacific Gas and Electric will buy space generated solar power from Solaren. The deal is contingent on Solaren launching solar collectors into space, something that has never been done on this scale.
Solar energy in space is actually not a new concept. Most satellites and unmanned vehicles are powered at least partially by solar panel systems. The systems actually work better in space given the fact there are no problems with weather, pollution and the like. The sun, as they say, is always on. Collecting energy from solar emissions and converting it to usable energy on the planet has often been considered another matter entirely, but no longer.
So, how does this work? Well, solar collectors are put into space. They are very large and more efficient than you will find on the planet. They collect energy and then convert it into radio waves. These will then be beamed to reception facility in Fresno, California. The system will produce 200 mega watts a year, which will cover the electrical needs of thousands of homes. The system is set to go online in 2016, which is a bit of a wait.
Space based solar power is something that should get just about anyone very excited. This could be the first step to a future where energy is plentiful, cheap and does no harm to the planet. Most developments in the United States start in California and spread. Let’s hope this is one of those things as well!
