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What are the cons of space-based solar power? Challenges of Solar Cells in Space
Space-based solar power (SBSP) has significant potential but also faces several challenges, particularly when integrating solar cells into the system:
① High Costs: Manufacturing solar cells for space is expensive, and the cost of launching these cells into orbit remains a major barrier. Space solar power systems would require substantial investments in both production and space infrastructure.
② Efficiency Issues: Solar cells in space are exposed to harsh conditions, like radiation, which can degrade their efficiency over time. While space-based cells may be more efficient than terrestrial ones, current technologies still suffer from lower conversion rates and material limitations.
③ Radiation Damage: Solar cells are vulnerable to radiation in space, which can reduce their lifespan and efficiency. This makes long-term operation costly and challenging.
④ Energy Transmission Losses: Converting sunlight into electricity and then transmitting it as microwaves or lasers to Earth involves multiple steps, each introducing energy losses. These inefficiencies could reduce the viability of SBSP.
⑤ Construction and Maintenance: Building large solar arrays in space and keeping them functional is technically complex and costly, requiring high precision and ongoing maintenance.
⑥ Health and Environmental Risks: Transmitting power via microwave or laser beams could pose potential risks to human health, wildlife, and the environment, requiring careful control of the technology.
⑦ Scalability: Scaling up solar power in space requires launching and maintaining vast arrays of solar cells, which is logistically and financially demanding.
⑧ Competition with Terrestrial Solar: Ground-based solar technology is improving rapidly and remains more cost-effective, making SBSP less attractive in the near term.
In conclusion, while SBSP holds promise, its high costs, technological hurdles, and competition with terrestrial solar power make it a challenging and long-term solution.
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