08-01-2013, 05:16 PM
Can’t we use solar power at the night? This question may look somewhat absurd since there is obviously no meaning of “Using solar power at night”! Now-a-days we are using the solar power to generate electricity by the solar panels mounted on the earth. But, in outer space, the sun always shines brightly. No clouds block the solar rays, and there is no nighttime. Solar collectors mounted on an orbiting satellite would thus generate power 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. If this power could be relayed to earth, then the world's energy problems might be solved forever.
We propose a new method for power generation in which the solar power is converted into microwaves through satellites called Solar Power Satellites (SPS) and it is received using a special type of antennae called rectenna, mounted on earth surface.
The concept of free space power propagation is not a new concept and it is the topic of discussion for nearly four decades. In this paper we explain the same for the generation and reception of electrical power using the rectennas. Rectennas are special type of antennae that could convert the incoming microwave radiation into electricity and this electricity can be sent to grids for storage and future usage.
The paper first discusses about the history of free space power transmission and gives a brief introduction to the rectenna concept. The important component of the rectenna, the schottky barrier diode is explained. Then the functional model for the Solar Power Satellite is explained. The importance of the solar energy is explained both in terms of the cost and its echo friendly nature. The paper is concluded explaining our model of a simple rectenna, which could be readily built using the components from the laboratory