California gives green light to space-based solar power project

Filed under: Energy , Company News , Green Beaming solar power down from outer space is A-OK according to the California Public Utility Commission. The regulatory body voted unanimously Thursday to approve a “Power Purchase Agreement” signed between the state’s largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric ( PCG ), and Solaren Space . The Southern California start-up is developing technology for what it hopes will be an orbiting solar power collection system that could add a whopping 200 megawatts to the Golden State’s increasingly green grid. The project will cost $2 billion, Solaren executives estimate. The concept is not new. Satellites orbiting far enough outside our atmosphere can capture solar energy around the clock, and without power-reducing cloud cover or atmospheric interference. The satellites use photovoltaic panels, much like those that are installed on ordinary buildings, to capture solar energy and convert it into electricity. Continue reading California gives green light to space-based solar power project California gives green light to space-based solar power project originally appeared on DailyFinance on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Email this | Comments

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California gives green light to space-based solar power project

Tagged with: atmosphere • bonds • california • convert-it-into • infocus • jobs • largest-utility • pacificgasandelectric • power-purchase • regulatory-body • solar energy • solarpower

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