Japanese firm eyes Lunar Solar Power from the moon
11 Jul 2011
After the twin disasters of the earthquake and tsunami causing the closure of the nuclear plants resulting in acute power shortage, Japan is focusing attention on generating solar power from the Moon.
The revolutioanry concept is not new. Way back in 2002, physicist Dr David Criswell suggested that the Earth could be getting all of the electricity it needs using solar cells – on the moon, as reported in the April - May issue of The Industrial Magazine.
Dr David Criswell and Dr Robert Waldron first described Lunar Solar Power (LSP) in 1984 at a NASA symposium on "Lunar bases and space activities" in the 21st Century.
"LSP is probably the only option for powering a prosperous world within the 21st century," said Criswell
The concept is currently being researched by Japan's Shimizu Corp, one of Japan's biggest construction firms and is being considered as a potential future source of clean energy.
The concept involves constructing a belt of solar panels 400km wide around the equator of the moon that send the energy generated back to Earth in the form of laser-guided microwaves.
