What if we could capture solar energy outside of our atmosphere and send it back to earth? These are the lofty aspirations of the Japanese company Shimizu. The company wants to build a ring of solar panels around the moon's equator and transmit it back to earth with microwaves. This project, called LUNA RING is scheduled to begin by 2035.
A 248-mile wide solar panel belt wrapped around the moon would turn our most beloved satellite into a minor star to supplement the energy needs of our desperate planet. According to Shimizu, the solar panels could generate a steady stream of a massive 13,000 terawatts of energy to be received via antennas on earth. To put this into perspective, the U.S. as a whole generated 4,500 terawatts of energy in 2011.
Shimizu plans to build much of the solar belt with remotely controlled robots utilizing lunar resources when possible. For example, water can be produced by reducing lunar soil with hydrogen imported from earth. Structural material such as bricks and glass fibers can be produced by solar-heat treatments. Cables would be embedded to transfer the collected solar energy to the transmission stations located on the near-side of the moon.
It goes without saying, such an undertaking would be extremely complex and expensive. Even if Shimizu is successful, the project includes cumbersome maintenance and upkeep. Perhaps our children will be able to land a job working on the moon! But jokes aside, consider the amount of abuse that the moon receives daily from space debris. A lack of atmosphere means a complete lack of protection from a very hostile space environment. These are just a few of the extreme challenges that Shimizu will face in their efforts to bring this lofty dream to life.
Back here on earth, solar energy advancements are soaring in Japan even without utilizing the moon. Japan's solar power market grew 350% from 2012 to 2013. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Japan is projected to add more solar energy generation than any other country this year. The Japanese government has a target of installing 28 gigawatts of solar by 2020.
It goes without saying, such an undertaking would be extremely complex and expensive. Even if Shimizu is successful, the project includes cumbersome maintenance and upkeep. Perhaps our children will be able to land a job working on the moon! But jokes aside, consider the amount of abuse that the moon receives daily from space debris. A lack of atmosphere means a complete lack of protection from a very hostile space environment. These are just a few of the extreme challenges that Shimizu will face in their efforts to bring this lofty dream to life.
Back here on earth, solar energy advancements are soaring in Japan even without utilizing the moon. Japan's solar power market grew 350% from 2012 to 2013. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Japan is projected to add more solar energy generation than any other country this year. The Japanese government has a target of installing 28 gigawatts of solar by 2020.
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