Solar into space

摘要

Californians could be catching the rays come rain or shine if the world's first space-based solar power project gets off the ground. Plans to send a solar farm into orbit are awaiting final approval after a major power provider signed an agreement to buy solar energy generated in space.rnThe satellite power station, intended for launch in 2016, will have a total capacity of 1,000MW. It will supply up to 200MW energy to major Californian power provider Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), with the aim of delivering 1,700GWh per year over a 15-year term. The power generated will be converted into radio frequencies and collected by an Earth-based receiving station. This in turn will convert the waves back into electricity for use on the grid.