[outworlder]

See the same wikipedia page, under safety.

> At the Earth's surface, a suggested microwave beam would have a maximum intensity at its center, of 23 mW/cm2 (less than 1/4 the solar irradiation constant), and an intensity of less than 1 mW/cm2 outside the rectenna fenceline (the receiver's perimeter).[82] These compare with current United States Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) workplace exposure limits for microwaves, which are 10 mW/cm2,[83] - the limit itself being expressed in voluntary terms and ruled unenforceable for Federal OSHA enforcement purposes.[citation needed] A beam of this intensity is therefore at its center, of a similar magnitude to current safe workplace levels, even for long term or indefinite exposure.

[marshray]

Even if we assume the conversion efficiency of microwaves are much better than solar, if the beam at its peak is less than 1/4 ordinary solar irradiation, why would this be more economical than ground-based solar?

[alexhill]

It would be available day and night and not as susceptible to weather fluctuations.