Solar panels have been in existence since the 1800s and have dominated the energy sector for a long time. However, it looks like space might replace them. Here is the thing. While solar panels are a big deal and have transformed the lives of many households and businesses in terms of energy cost reduction, to a certain extent, it has motivated engineers to find ways to make renewable energy more efficient than just solar panels on the rooftops. But why? One of the main reasons has been the weather. Solar panels depend on the sun so much that at times they lose their effectiveness when weather conditions change.
Engineers have been restless to find permanent solutions in space
As I mentioned, solar panels have played a significant role; however, what happens when there is a storm or when the sun does not shine for two weeks? It means we do not have energy or sufficient energy to push us through, and since we are running away from the costs of power in this day and age, it is important to utilise the resource we have to find ways to make this more of a permanent thing.
The sun shines up in the sky and there is space. So, engineers and scientists have been researching and studying, trying to find ways in which they can set panels closer to the sun, where it shines 24/7 and still transfer energy here on planet Earth. But how will they do that? Is it possible? According to research, Japan seems to have a plan and we will talk about it just now for you to understand where I am going with this.
Space-based solar power? Japan wants to use it as a signal by beaming it down
Japan is testing ‘microwave beams’ in space. At this point, put rooftop solar panels aside; Japan has come up with something more interesting. The country has taken it upon themselves to utilise space to provide energy, and this idea has formed a project called OHISAMA, which means ‘sun’ in Japanese – creative, right? They are working on a space-based solar power transmission. In simple terms, extracting energy in the form of sunlight from space to Earth.
It might seem unrealistic and too good to be true, and it might take some time, which is true and factual; however, Japan has so much hope in it, they believe it will come to fruition. About 1.8 kilowatts of power over 55 metres was transmitted, wirelessly even. and later it extended to 10 kilowatts over 500 metres, and this was about a decade ago, in 2015, during the testing period.
Expectations regarding this space energy project
About 1 kilowatt of power is expected to be transmitted, which is equal to a dishwasher running on electricity for an hour. There is no concrete evidence that this will work, but the visionaries in Japan are confident that it will take a positive step. However, this is not new. Japan has been working on this space energy-generated project for years now, and their findings have been good.
Japan finds this project significant because solar in space is readily and always available. There are no rainy, cloudy or partly sunny days like on Earth. Furthermore, beaming sun from space, using what they call microwaves. Communities and households will be powered so much that there will not be a need to worry about rooftop photovoltaics. Although these are still the early days to detect whether this project is feasible or not, we can already see the vision, and all Japan needs is support to execute this invention. So, say goodbye to photovoltaics and embrace unlimited space energy.