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PG&E Makes Deal For Solar Power From Space

Posted by Soulskill on from the just-watch-out-for-the-shadow-square-wire dept.

N!NJA writes "California's biggest energy utility announced a deal Monday to purchase 200 megawatts of electricity from a startup company that plans to beam the power down to Earth from outer space, beginning in 2016. Solaren would generate the power using solar panels in Earth orbit and convert it to radio-frequency transmissions that would be beamed down to a receiving station in Fresno, PG&E said. From there, the energy would be converted into electricity and fed into PG&E's power grid."

9 of 392 comments (clear)

  1. Not a problem, don't be such worrywarts by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    As long as you turn off disasters, beamed solar energy is actually a fairly cost effective power solution.

  2. Re:In all seriousness... by Jamu · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's just a bonus.

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    Who ordered that?
  3. Re:In all seriousness... by mrv00t · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just disable HAVE_WEAPON_SUPPORT flag in configure.in before building the sw for the space power station.

  4. Excellent headline by Big+Nothing · · Score: 5, Funny

    "PG&E Makes Deal For Solar Power From Space"

    Is there any other kind?

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    SIG: TAKE OFF EVERY 'CAPTAIN'!!
  5. Re:Bad idea by TheRaven64 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm sorry, maybe it's too early in the morning for my brain to be working, but could you be a little more specific about what you consider the downside to be?

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    I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  6. Re:Bad idea by JamesP · · Score: 4, Funny

    The effects of microwave radiation on high density airborne smug are still unknown

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    how long until /. fixes commenting on Chrome?
  7. Re:In all seriousness... by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

    couldn't this also be used as a weapon?

    "Tonight we had a most unfortunate accident. A micrometeor hit the satellite, changing it's orientation. The accident, unfortunately, destroyed a coal plant. Again.

    Oh, by the way. We're raising the prices 25%."

  8. Re:In all seriousness... by Farmer+Tim · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'd be interested to know what effect it would have on an airport for example.

    The in-flight meals would be warm for once. Now, if only someone could work out a way of beaming flavour from a satellite...

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    Blank until /. makes another boneheaded UI decision.
  9. Re:I've seen this by cthulu_mt · · Score: 4, Funny

    They also thought Detriot would be a wastekand of crime and poverty and everyone would drive oversized cars.

    Fools...

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