The impact of space solar energy on society

Abstract

Research and development to use solar energy for space vehicles has resulted in many countries to use photovoltaic cells (PV) on the surface of the earth to convert solar radiation into electricity. As 2012 has been declared by the United Nations to be the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, it may be noted that space activities in Space Solar Energy have resulted in international cooperations to enable many remote areas on the surface of the earth to use PV to produce clean electricity. This would aid the peoples in these remote areas in their social and economic developments. The need for PV has resulted in the growth of companies manufacturing PV; to international business and trade; and to the listing in the major stock exchanges of the world, of many companies dealing with solar electricity. However, solar electricity produced on the surface of the earth cannot compete on a large scale with electricity produced by traditional methods. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space has received from the International Academy of Astronautics, the IAA Study Report on the proposed Space Solar Power. This involves the production of electricity, on a large scale, by using large satellites to convert solar radiation into electricity in space and to transmit the electricity down to earth. Such Space Solar Power Satellites could significantly reduce dependence on fossil and nuclear fuels. Space Solar Power could have a very profound impact on Society in future. Copyright © (2012) by the International Astronautical Federation.