While the technology surrounding solar power is constantly improving
, many consumers and even scientists are looking for the next big breakthrough in solar power efficiency and delivery. While those who develop solar power technologies already know this many consumers are unaware that, that breakthrough is here. Solar power gathered in space rather than here on earth is set to provide the type of renewable energy that many consumers and even manufacturers have been waiting for.
While this small part of solar power technology is still in its infancy many solar power engineers believe that not only will collection of solar power become more efficient and easy but so will delivery and its usage. As this article is being written researchers around the globe are are testing equipment in space that collects solar energy and transfers it back to earth by way of microwaves and/or lasers.
This new technology is poised to not only make current solar power technologies more efficient and affordable but to also deliver solar power to remote areas of the world. This means that areas that have been affected by natural disasters and poverty will have access to power that will allow residents and rescue/relief teams to do their job more efficiently and to do things that were previously impossible without power.
By utilizing microwaves and lasers to deliver solar energy to Earth, it negates the need for stored solar power and provides instantaneous access to power needed for the necessities of life and for emergency situations. This method also allows for constant uninterrupted delivery of solar power as well. An uninterrupted power source means better living for residents of all areas on the planet and more effective means of relief and help for those areas affected by disasters and/or tragedies.
Currently this technology utilizes only small satellites that generate just enough energy for a small village but engineers have the goal of putting a large structure in space that can both gather and deliver enough energy to power even the largest cities on the planet. No one is certain when his goal will be met though engineers are confident that it will be met at some point in the not-too-distant future. When this goal is reached not only will it be possible to deliver power to any area on the planet but it should also dramatically reduce the costs associated with solar power as well.