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.


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    Title :

    High efficiency solar cells can make a solar power satellite practical


    Additional title:

    Hocheffektive Solarzellen können einen Sonnenenergiesatelliten praktikabel machen


    Contributors:
    Oman, H. (author)


    Publication date :

    1990


    Size :

    6 Seiten, 2 Bilder


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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