Beware big plan for solar panels in space

Sir, – The old idea of placing solar panels in space and beaming the energy down to Earth is back in the news.

But before the public gets excited, they should be aware of the huge challenges as highlighted by a scientific paper under Gerardo Urdaneta, published in May.

The study uses a hypothetical 5,000 MW (megawatt) orbital generator 7 km in diameter costing an economically unviable $255 billion (the 3,200MW Hinkley nuclear power station costs $30bn).

There would be fears that such a system could be weaponised, and concerns about emissions from all the rocket launches. Wireless

transmissions passing through the beam or considerable distances away would be erased or distorted.

No doubt Western governments will waste billions on this.

Geoff Moore. Braeface Park, Alness.