Space Solar Power

Space solar power

There have been a number of articles recently discussing space solar power.  That is, harnessing solar energy from the stratosphere.  More and more these days, companies are joining the ranks of people who agree that solar power from space could help solve the global climate change and energy crisis problems.

In fact, some say that its the only answer to our future energy demands.

In my home state of Washington, PowerSat Corporation (based in Everett – home of Boeing too), has filed for a provisional patent for two technologies it claims could help make the transmission of solar power from space more cost-effective.  In addition, Solaren, another space solar power company based in Manhattan Beach, California is now working with PG&E to provide solar power from above.

Not to put too many eggs in one basket, but there are some people that believe – without solar power from space – we’ll be unable to meet energy demands in less than 100 years.

Space solar power is stronger and more reliable than on earth

SSP could very easily be the source of the future.  Why?  Because it can provide nearly unlimited, carbon-free power!  And, above the atmosphere, solar energy is 5 times as powerful.

As noted by PowerSat:

“Now, PowerSat has come up with two technologies that it claims could shave off roughly $1 billion in launch and operation costs for a 2.5-megawatt power station. The first of these is called BrightStar. Instead of one large satellite, Brightstar uses a cluster of hundreds of small ones, which work together — similar to cloud computing — to transmit the power as a group.”

If that doesn’t work, Solar Power Orbital Transfer is next in line.  This technology uses a solar array for wireless power transmission, which provides energy for electronic thrusters to boost satellites thousands of miles above the planet’s surface.

All this exciting news aside, the biggest hurdle for space solar power is funding.  As you might expect, its a very expensive venture, and not all investors are convinced of either the need for it, or whether it will produce promised results.

Space may in our lifetime always be the “final frontier.”  Still, I hope that the dreams lead to some serious “real life” solar power for our lives here on Earth one day soon.

Tags: powersat corporation, solar power from space, solar power orbital transfer, solaren, space solar power, SSP