Comments on: Japanese Scientists: Solar Panels on the Moon to Supply all of Earth’s Energy

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 28 May 2011 21:16:06 +0000

Another thing to consider is that most of the electromagnetic spectrum is blocked by the atmosphere itself. What we receive on this side of it is not really even a blip on the scale. UV and up contains much more energy… frankly, I’ve suddenly found myself wondering why they would limit themselves to harvesting “solar energy,” if it’s going to be outside our atmosphere… it could be beamed back in the same way that they’ve proposed.

Then the Moon could be the next Middle East… except with abundantly higher ground and plenty of energy for throwing rocks… Suddenly, Robert Heinlein’s ghost is in my doorway… Hm.

Anyway, I agree with Sepp about one thing for sure: We are definitely squandering opportunities already available. We are the product of — as well as the victims of — social norms, established economic systems, and, honestly, architecture and engineering inherited from bronze-age civilizations.

By: Xeno

Xeno — Sat, 28 May 2011 19:11:07 +0000

With the moon you get constant power (no clouds on the moon, lots on the earth!), plus a spot on the moon has 29 days of sun, compared to our measly one. The moon plan also keeps space on earth free for us to use.

By: Sepp

Sepp — Sat, 28 May 2011 18:15:59 +0000

Now what would be wrong to capture the sun’s rays as they naturally arrive on our planet?

There’s more than enough to go around, I believe.

Of course we could put panels on the moon and then somehow beam the energy down to earth, but it looks like bad business sense to me. Too costly, when you can have the same thing just putting the panels on top of your house, or in some dry deserted spot here on earth.