A solar power satelite in geosynchronous orbit would convert sunlight into electric power, transmit this power by microwave beam to an Earth-surface receiving station for distribution of up to 10,000 megawatts by local utilities to users. In our 1975-to-1978 studies we found the delivered power to be marginally competitive with nuclear-reactor generated power. Since then the cost of nuclear power has skyrocketed, and the efficiency of solar cells has doubled, making the solar power satellite a clear winner from a cost-of-energy standpoint. Some problems, such as radio-frequency energy reflected from objects at the receiving station, remain to be solved. Full-scale development of the required heavy-lift launch vehicle has not started. On the other hand, behind us are the problems of traveling-wave-tube reliability, beam sharpness, and power robbing plasma. Also, new problems, such as global warming from carbon dioxide emissions, give incentive for reconsidering the solar power satellite.
High efficiency solar cells can make a solar power satellite practical
Hocheffektive Solarzellen können einen Sonnenenergiesatelliten praktikabel machen
1990
6 Seiten, 2 Bilder
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
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