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Solar Power from Outer Space
Some scientists are developing an out-of-this-world idea for providing safe, clean energy. They want to launch solar panels into space, and then beam down the energy to stations on Earth. That could be a great way to get energy, because it wouldn't pollute the air, water, or earth.
We get most of our energy now from power plants that burn coal or oil. The smoke is bad for the air, and it contributes to the problem of global warming. That's why scientists are interested in solar energy, because it's cleaner than burning coal or oil.
A tiny country called Palau wants to use one of its islands to put up a station to test the plan. If it works, Palau will get enough energy to run a thousand homes. All with clean and free energy from the sun!
If will also show people that the program is safe and open the way to building more. The ultimate plan is to launch satellites with solar collectors that are miles wide. They would beam down the energy in the form of a microwave. A big enough satellite could send five gigawatts -- that's twice as much power as we get from the Hoover Dam. It's a long way away, but it could be a safe, clean way to keep the lights on!
I'm Adelbert and that's what happened in Science this week!
Photo: NASA
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