Apr 022015
Another piece of artwork depicting the construction of a solar power satellite. This design features a “trough” design. Instead of a vast flat plain covered in PV arrays, this design had a central strip of PV cells between two walls of very reflective and very lightweight mylar (or a similar reflective foil). Thus the same total amount of sunlight would be directed to PV cells. Since PV clls generally work slightly better at higher illumination levels, in theory this type of PV array should generate more power for the same frontal area.
Shown slightly to the right of center is the aimable microwave emitter used to beam the energy to a receiving station on Earth.
