Japanese Announce Ambitious Solar PV Space System

The Japanese government has announced that they are prepared to invest US $21 billion building a solar PV plant which would orbit the earth collecting the sun’s rays and transmitting power back to earth 24 hours a day. The announcement comes six days prior to the launch of an international three day talk in Toronto, Canada broaching the feasibility of solar PV space facilities.

The proposed project would consist of a 1,000 MW solar PV facility based in space. Both Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have signed on to research and develop the project concept. So far, researchers have given initial estimates saying that four square kilometres of solar PV modules would be required to make the project possible. All involved parties have set a goal of 2040 to make the project a reality.

Although the initial cost of the project would be great, eventually the space solar system could save $70,000 per home by supply only 3 kw, which is double what is supplied by rooftop panels. Additionally, the power would be supplied on a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week basis making it cheaper by the kilowatt per hour as well.

However, the project has many hurdles that would need to be overcome to ensure that it was a viable source of energy. Firstly, the amount of energy needed to transport any energy harnessed from the system would be far greater than supply energy from a pre established grid. Secondly, the cost of fossil fuels and construction to actually install the solar panels into space and maintain them orbiting earth would hefty as well. The sheer amount of fossil fuels used could negate the good brought about by mass amounts of clean energy being produced. 

All these things would need solving should the project aim to be a benefit towards climate change, as the amount of unclean energy needed to get the project established could carry large CO2 emissions itself. The announcement of the project research is expected to be the center of the three day conference in Canada taking place in Toronto next week.