Solar Power System in Space for Earth
California Institute of Technology's New Space-Based, Solar Energy Generating System
$100 Million Donation Helping to Fund the Research
Researchers at California Institute of Technology are preparing to test what they call a "breakthrough" space-based, solar power generating technology system that would beam solar energy to Earth. Caltech and its Space-based Solar Power Project have received a $100 million donation from Caltech Board of Trustee member and Chairman of the Irvine Co. Donald Bren to fund the research. The technology that they are preparing to test is phenomenal. It aims to ultimately produce a global supply of affordable, renewable energy by harnessing the power of the Sun to create electricity in space and beam it via microwave to Earth to help meet global energy needs. Solar energy would be generated 24/7 in space, free of weather conditions and the darkness of night. The technology is designed to tap into the endless solar energy of the Sun, freely in space, and unencumbered by conditions on Earth. It could amount to boundless generation of electrical power for the Earth from the Sun.
How Does This Work?
Caltech testing of their system is now the next milestone to achieve. During the testing of the system, the multifunctional technology generator prototypes will collect sunshine, convert it into electrical energy, transfer the electricity wirelessly in space using radio frequency electrical power and then "deploy ultralight structures that will be used to integrate them." The first tests of this renewable energy project to capture solar power in space for use on Earth will occur in 2023. It is a bold, innovative initiative to harvest solar power from the depths of space. Success would be a major gamechanger in the pursuit of renewable energy supplies.
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