California Gets Solar Energy from Outer Space
California was one of the first places that became recognized for its forward-thinking approach to researching and utilizing solar power. The state has now made another leap forward in the area of solar power by approving a project, which will actually harness solar power from outer space. The project relies on solar panels placed in space to collect the energy from the sun. Utility companies in California will then be able to purchase this energy for resale to consumers. The project won't actually get going full-force until 2016 but even getting the approval to do this is a big step for solar power development.
The project, which was recently approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, will allow Pacific Gas and Electric Company to start buying 200 megawatts of solar power collected by the space-based solar panels starting in 2016. Satellites designed by a company named Solaren will be sent up into orbit to start collecting the sun's energy up there. The energy will be sent down to a receiving station here on earth using radio waves.
There are a lot of benefits to this type of emerging solar power. However there are some kinks to be worked out in the technology if the plan is going to be a success. The core benefit of space-based solar power is that energy from the sun can be collected in space 24 hours per day (whereas it is limited to daylight hours here on Earth). The main drawback right now is that the emerging technology is costly to send into space. There is hope that improvements to the technology will reduce the cost of this project.
California had been kind of moving off of the radar in terms of solar power development. The state had steadily been one of the leading spots for solar power studies and development but then began to find competition from other states as solar power has grown. This new project will once again put California on the solar map. It will also help California to meet upcoming goals about increasing the use of renewable energy resources. It will take some time for this project to really get off the ground but it's looking like it will be a good one when it does.
Source: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18247-california-gives-green-light-to-space-solar-power.html
Publish Date: 2009-12-16 09:53:23
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