Project: Space-based solar power
Daniel Kammen, Professor
Energy and Resources
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2025.
The technological basis for launching and operating orbiting solar generating plants is rapidly improving due to decreases in the cost of rocket launches ($/kg of payload), and improvements in durable thin-film solar and microwave beaming technology.
The project is to build data-sets to inform a series of projections we will make and cost-curves for space based solar (where the solar radiation is highest, 1370 W/square meter), and it is always available.
Qualifications: Students should have a proficiency in python or R. A journal publication is the expected result.
Hours: to be negotiated
Related website: https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power
Related website: https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power