New Company Looks to Produce Space Based Solar Power Within a Decade | Universe Today.
Space Energy Inc. is hoping to have a power generating satellite beaming energy back to the ground in 10 years, and a demonstrator launched in just a few years. A laudable goal which they seem to have no illusions about being an easy goal. Hopefully advanced concentrator arrays will be used because we’ll be butting up against materials supply issues if solar is scaled up to meet total electrical demand globally, now and in the future. Fortunately new semi-conductors are being investigated for their photovoltaic potential and some, like iron pyrite, are abundant.