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Solar Power Quotes
The Latest Technology in Solar Power
Alternative Energy Questions:
You can extract energy using the Earths magnetic field?
Quote You can extract energy using the Earths magnetic field: (2nd time today) hang a conducting loop of wire below your satellite, this will induce a current in the loop as the satellite/loop moves through the Earths magnetic field. The induced current creates its own magnetic field which interacts with the Earths field to slow down the loop. So the energy comes out of the satellite's orbit; so it spirals in. To keep going you would need to fire your engines... using energy.
Nothing is for free. Quote
Can some one explain the above better.
Quote There is plenty of solar energy in space and here on Earth. In space it has not been partly absorbed by the atmosphere so there is more energy available per square meter of collecting area. You then have to collect it and get it to your power socket. The question of the solar power satellite debate is this advantage make the whole enterprise worthwhile? Quote
But how do you collect it in space and send it down to earth?
1. In the simplest terms, a motor works by current moving through a magnetic field, creating mechanical movement (spinning a rotor). A dynamo works in reverse - mechanical movement spins a magnetic field, creating current.
So as the conducting loop of the satellite moves through the magnetic field of the Earth, its magnetic field interacts with the field of the Earth, creating friction. This in turn slows down the orbit of the satellite. In order to maintain orbit, it has to use energy to fire thrusters and maintain altitude. So you use energy to create energy. Nothing is for free.
2. A solar collector could use solar panels to capture energy, then beam it down to Earth as microwaves. It's similar to how radio towers pass signals back and forth, but on a more powerful scale.
