[GordonS]

> I've seen estimates that a panel in space around Earth can generate ~7 times the power it can on Earth

How do you get that power back down to Earth where it can be used?

[chrisweekly]

Presumably, laser beams to heat terrestrial mountains of salt. What could possibly go wrong?

/jk

Seriously, I'm curious about this too.

Edit: a quick search shows I was close: https://earthsky.org/earth/space-based-solar-energy-power-ge...

[ClumsyPilot]

If you want to place solar panels in a hostile and distant environment to triple their efficiency, we have the Sahara Desert for that.

That article does not mention inefficiency of space that microwave transmission, it is going to wreck that 7x advantage.

Also lifting a solar panel from Earth will cost more energy than it will ever generate You have to have cities and factories in space before any solar collector could even be considered.