"The solar flux on a given area of the Earth is pretty impressive, too, but it's a long way from actually being able to utilize it effectively."
I don't understand what you are saying.
Many solar power advocates make a big deal out of how much solar power falls on every square mile of the Earth each day. Unfortunately, actually making use of that total is another matter. Nobody is going to build a solid square mile of solar panels. The number of panels required to accumulate that amount of sunlight would cover a much larger area.
You meant something like solar irradiance, or something, not solar flux.
But I see nothing technologically stopping humans from having SPS with large areas.
And see no reason why in fifty years or maybe 100 years, we couldn't more electrical power coming from space than electrical power currently produced on Earth.
But the idea of making a massive solar array as first step is due to trying solving problem which doesn't solve the problem.
Space/Science » in reply to re: Be careful with the numbers.
re: Be careful with the numbers.
The whole thread (28 posts)
- The National Security Space Office Sponsored Study
- Wow!...Like it's been only one week since I made a post extolling orbiting solar-energy platforms.
- --On Space Solar Power