Solar energy in space

Scientists are investigating how to capture the power of the sun from space. The idea of capturing solar energy in space where the sun never stops shining and beaming it to Earth may seem outlandish, but such technology is further along than most realize. In 2018, scientists from the California Institute of Technology announced that they had succeeded in creating a prototype capable of gathering and transmitting solar energy from space.

Prototype really works

Their prototype is a tile of lightweight material that consists of three main components. Optical reflectors concentrate the sunlight, photovoltaic cells convert the sunlight to electricity, and an integrated circuit converts the electricity to radiofrequency energy that is transmitted through an antenna. Many individual tiles could be combined together to form large solar arrays in space. A ground-based microwave receiver on earth would be used to intercept the incoming radiofrequency energy and convert it back into usable electricity. The scientists proved that their prototype works by subjecting it to space-like conditions in the laboratory and using it to power a light-emitting diode (LED) located about 20 inches (50 centimeters) away from the tile.

Made from lightweight materials

A key feature of the new tile design is that it is really lightweight — at 1.5 kilograms (3.3 lb) per square meter, it weighs a little more than a large pizza. Lightweight features are essential for keeping construction costs down. Moreover, the new tile design in which each unit is capable of generating and transmitting solar power individually is advantageous because this negates the need for a heavy power distribution system in space. Such a design also makes it easier to expand on missions and to make repairs without losing much functionality. In the future, the scientists plan on seeing if further weight reductions can be achieved by utilizing new lightweight materials. Research on space-based solar power has been ongoing at Caltech, where professors Harry Atwater, Ali Hajimiri, and Sergio Pellegrino have received funding from the Northrop Grumman Corporation to study the potential of this source of renewable energy. 

Now is the time to install solar here on earth!

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.