Lunar solar power system

Two general concepts have been proposed for delivering
solar power to Earth from space. In one, Peter Glaser of
Arthur D. Little, Inc. (Cambridge, MA), proposed in 1968
that a huge satellite in geosynchronous orbit around Earth
could dependably gather solar power in space. In the sec-
ond concept, discussed here, solar power would be col-
lected on the moon. In both ideas, many different beams
of 12-cm wavelength microwaves would deliver power to receivers at sites located worldwide. Each receiver would
supply commercial power to a given region. Such a receiv-
er, called a rectenna, would consist of a large field of small
rectifying antennas. A beam with a maximum intensity of
less than 20% of noontime sunlight would deliver about
200 W to its local electric grid for every square meter of
rectenna area. Unlike sunlight, microwaves pass through
rain, clouds, dust, and smoke. In both scenarios, power
can be supplied to the rectenna at night.