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"If this technology works, more power to them. And to us." That's the whole point! Seriously though, space based solar power is definitely the future, unless of course there is a breakthrough in fusion power. There's nothing in the way (atmosphere, clouds .. 100% full power, all the time), you're not using up land, and it's 24 hours. It may not be viable for a while, though, since launch costs are still too high (space elevator?). Solar panels in space don't get dirty, don't have to support themselves against gravity (so they're way lighter), don't have to pay for the land they sit on. Sure, it's expensive getting them up, and there's engineering challenges to be solves. It's all doable, though, IMO. It's a question of when, not if. Within 10 years seems a little optimistic. But if there's no fusion breakthrough, if nuclear remains unpopular, and if the climate change thing really starts to get serious (no more coal power), it's definitely a viable option. |