Solar Energy

Solar energy is sourced from solar radiation, light emitted from the sun. The two main ways solar radiation is gathered and transformed into energy are photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP). Solar panels utilize PV technology in their creation of energy. PV cells within the panels absorb solar radiation which is converted into electrical charges. The electrical charges move in response to an internal electric field within the PV cells which allows the electricity to flow. CSP systems, on the other hand, use mirrors in order to concentrate sunlight onto receivers that convert the energy into heat. Because of its many benefits to the environment, solar power is being used on all scales from a panel or two in residential homes to mass solar farms (Solar Energy Technologies Office).

Solar power derived directly from space has massive potential in the future of renewable energy. By launching self-assembling satellites into space, along with a reflector and transmitter, solar power is able to be produced and transported in space. As solar radiation is absorbed and beamed to earth through either a laser or microwave transmitter, stations on Earth receive and add the power to their electric grid. Microwave transmitting satellites orbit exceptionally high in Earth’s atmosphere and transmit energy to earth in benign microwaves. However, these satellites do have their drawbacks. They are much heavier and more expensive than their counterparts, laser transmitting satellites. Laser transmitting satellites orbit much lower in the atmosphere and beam the energy to earth in highly concentrated lasers (U.S. Department of Energy).