We all know that the main drawback of solar panel system is
this system doesn't work at night. Willing or not this system is limited by
time. The solution actually has been made: put solar panel on the outside of
the Earth, so there is no reason for the lack of sunlight. In practice, it is
not that easy. Absorbs solar energy with solar panel in space may already be
done, but the biggest challenge is how to continue the energy toward Earth.
Researchers from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
and Japan Space Systems seem to have a solution, although it can't be realized
in the near future. The idea is the same; to put the various units of SpaceSolar Power System (SSPS) in orbit, and then exposed to the sun constantly.
In theory, SSPS is expected to create 10 times bigger energy
than a traditional solar panel system that's located on Earth. According to the
explanation of JAXA research team member, Daisuke Goto, to The Telegraph, a
unit of SSPS can match a nuclear reactor in terms of generating energy.
The concept of energy absorption has been made, and now it's
the time for the team to think about how to forward the energy back to Earth.
Therefore, they use microwaves as used by radar technology.
The decision to use the microwaves is based on a number of
advantages. Microwaves are moving in a straight line, and can penetrate even
thick clouds. Basically, the absorbed solar energy is converted into
microwaves, then forwarded and captured by the receiver unit on Earth. If
everything goes according to plan, the ± 1.6 km diameter receiver unit will be
floated on the sea and connect to the local electricity network.
The test of this method has been held in March by the Japan
Space Systems team. They managed to convert 1.8 kilowatts of electrical energy
into microwaves, and then emitted and captured by an antenna within 55 meters,
before being converted back into electrical energy.
As mentioned in the beginning, this project still requires a
lot of time before it can be operated, at least about 30 years, according to
experts. One of the greatest challenges is to bring the necessary components
into orbit, and then assemble them into SSPS unit which is expected can be
operated until 40 years.