Could we transform the moon into a solar plant?

A lunar solar plant?

As ideas go for promoting renewable energy, this one is literally out there. About 221,463 miles out there. A Japanese company, called the Shimizu Corporation, have come up with a crazy idea to transform the moon into a solar plant.

Now forgetting the immediate problems of installing thousands of solar panels on the moon in zero gravity, or the cost or even the fact that we haven't been back to the moon since 1972, the Shimizu Corporation want to build a massive 6,800 mile long 'solar belt' around the moon to gather as much solar power from the sun as possible.

And how would we get this energy once it's collected? Well it would be 'beamed' to Earth via microwaves and lasers, where it would be stored by receiving stations at various points on the planet. Very Star Trek, but in any way practical?

According to Shimizu Corporation, the plan would be incredibly beneficial to Earth's energy needs as solar panels on the moon would "eliminate inefficiency due to bad weather", "achieve 24/7 continuous power generation", "fulfill all energy needs" and "realise a clean energy solution".

Construction on the Moon

Of course, current manned lunar missions seem to be on hold but according to Shimizu, construction of the solar belt would be primarily handled by robots. These robots would perform various tasks on the lunar surface, including ground leveling and excavation of hard bottom strata.

Most construction would not actually take place on the Moon's surface but in space, with machines and equipment being assembled in orbit and then landed for installation. A human team of astronauts would be present though to oversee robotic operations.

The Solar Belt Configuration

1. Lunar solar cells
To ensure continuous generation of power, an array of solar cells will extend like a belt along the entire 11,000km lunar equator. This belt will grow in width from a few kilometers to 400km.

2. Electric power cables
The cables will transfer the electric power from the lunar solar cells to the transmission facilities.

3. Microwave power transmission antennas.
The 20km-diameter antennas will transmit power to the receiving rectennas. A guidance beacon (radio beacon) brought from the Earth will be used to ensure accurate transmission.

4. Laser power transmission facilities
High-energy-density laser will be beamed to the receiving facilities. A guidance beacon (radio beacon) brought from the Earth will be used to ensure accurate transmission.

5. Transportation route along the lunar equator
Materials needed for the construction and maintenance of the Solar Belt will be transported along this route. Electric power cables will be installed under the transportation route.

6. Solar cell production plants
The plants will move automatically while producing solar cells from lunar resources and installing them.

It's not the first idea that has been pitched for 'space-bound' solar projects, but I think even this one is more science fiction than science fact.

Images from the Shimizu Corporation

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Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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