Solar power could come from space

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Solar power could come from space

Published: Sept. 18, 2008 at 10:25 AM

HONOLULU, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A joint U.S.-Japan solar experiment is advancing new satellite technology. The recent experiment tested technology that could be used to transmit solar energy from satellites to Earth. With $1 million from the Discovery Channel, researchers from Japan's space agency and the U.S. military beamed solar energy 92 miles from one Hawaiian island to another, Discover Magazine reported.

Satellites would allow solar cells to collect solar radiation constantly without regard for time of day, year or weather. The energy could then be beamed down to receivers and transmitted as electricity.

According to the National Space Society, the sun emits billions of times more energy than the Earth's population uses.

The small-scale experiment sent about 20 watts across the 92 miles, but researchers say it's a step in developing the technology.





source - upi.com