Building Solar Panels On The Moon

A solar panel array placed on the moon would generate electricity during earth s nighttime hours because it is receiving direct sunlight containing photons.

Building solar panels on the moon.

The photovoltaic solar receptors on the moon would have the benefit of receiving longer hours of sunlight without the obstruction of the earth s atmosphere clouding or dust. They have also become much more efficient they produce more electrical power from the sunlight falling on them. Solar panels have become much cheaper in recent years. The panels on the roof of the institute of physics building are among the most efficient in the world producing over 200 watts per square metre w m 2.

The reflected light seen from earth. And they want to get the project dubbed luna. Their ambitious plan involves building a belt of solar cells around the moon s 6 800 mile 11 000 kilometer equator converting the electricity to powerful microwaves and lasers to be beamed at earth and finally converting the beams back to electricity at terrestrial power stations. This means that they would convert the sun s energy into electricity at a much more efficient rate than pv solar panels on earth.

It also means shipping manufacturing equipment up to the moon. A far out plan to create swarms of self replicating solar panel satellites. Of course this idea involves building solar panels on the moon which means we would have people on the moon all the time about six months to a year per person criswell suggests to build and maintain the repair equipment and arrays. What people see on earth is the sun s light energy reflecting off the moon s surface.

The shimizu corporation wants to essentially build a ring of solar panels around the moon s equator and transmitted back to the earth via microwave. Research from the qian xuesen laboratory of space technology in china shows that solar power generated on the moon can supply future lunar bases with plenty of energy to spare. Scientists are testing a new durable recyclable and efficient material that could soon power habitats on the moon.