Some Aspects of Future Energy Generation in Using of Solar Power Satellites

Abstract

Energy, which is required to run space satellites, is as old as space technology itself. The location of these satellites has made it more applicable for unconventional means of energy generation to run them. The Sun being the universal and greatest source of all forms of energy, as well as the closest energy source to space satellites, has been so appropriately trapped using solar cells. Solar power satellites are designed to capture solar energy and transmit that energy to receiving stations using wireless power transmission mechanism. This paper is written to rehearse the immediate and associated usefulness of solar energy trapped from space as an alternative for electricity generation for the future; it is also an attempt to appraise the prospects of this scientific conviviality.

Solar power satellites: technical challenges and economic feasibility

“…It is crucial to evaluate the efficiency of space solar stations to conventional solar power plants. The average solar power per unit area on the surface of the earth is 250 W/m 2 compared to ~1360 W/m 2 in space near earth [35]. The maximum efficiency of conventional photovoltaic cells is around 20%, while multi-junction photovoltaic cells designed for satellites can maintain efficiencies of around 30% and 35% [22,36].…”