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Space: Energy's Necessary Frontier

Solar power is often marketed as one of those "world-changing" technologies, right up there with three-dimensional holograms and fuel cells. However, solar power in its current state is remarkably unable to live up to that standard. There is a lot of potential for the technology, but the energy efficiency of solar cells is around 4% - in other words, 96% of potential energy is wasted when photons strike the cells. Additionally, huge fields of solar panels are necessary to generate any significant amount of power, panels are dependent upon good weather (like a lack of clouds), and can only provide power during the day.

Space, however, solves many of solar power's problems. Placing panels in space cuts down on interference from the earth's atmosphere, eliminates the inconsistency of day/night cycles, and frees up valuable real estate that solar panel "farms" currently occupy. The technology is viableNASA has investigated so-called "microwave" power generation, where solar collectors in geo-synchronous orbit transform energy into a microwave beam that is captured and distributed by a receiving facility on earth. The systemcalled "solar power satellite" or Powersatwas never implemented because of extremely high costs, but the diminishing costs of space flight and increasing costs of energy have made it much more affordable.

One of the biggest advantages of such a system is that it would make travel within the solar system much more plausible. An energy source in space would allow the piecemeal construction of spacecraft in space instead of requiring the entire craft to be assembled on and then launched into orbita prohibitive expense. Solar power in space is vital to the cost-effective future of space exploration and development, science's next frontier.

There have been concerns about the safety of such a solar power system, but the frequency of the radiation transmission is calibrated to prevent biological or ecological disruptions on earth. Also, with today's satellite technology, the likelihood of a satellite missing its mark and obliterating an entire town is extremely lowespecially since the beam is relatively harmless.

The other significant concern about using solar power in space is determining how to maintain the equipment. The installment would be bombarded by solar radiation and subject to the wears and tears of normal operation, as well as any space debris that may be present. This problem would likely be solved by either housing a permanent crew aboard the solar collection station itself or by contracting it out to private space-bound companies, several of which started space operations as early as 2007.

In all, solar power satellites have become even more appealing to energy-starved developing nations in the last few years. Advancements in nanotechnology continue to reduce construction costs, while space travel has also become much cheaper. The advantages of consistent powerlimited only by the size of the collection satellitemake solar power in space less of a pipe dream and more of a necessary accomplishment.

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