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1. gok+h4[view] [source] 2026-02-02 22:06:22
>>g-mork+(OP)
> it is possible to put 500 to 1000 TW/year of AI satellites into deep space, meaningfully ascend the Kardashev scale and harness a non-trivial percentage of the Sun’s power

We currently make around 1 TW of photovoltaic cells per year, globally. The proposal here is to launch that much to space every 9 hours, complete with attached computers, continuously, from the moon.

edit: Also, this would capture a very trivial percentage of the Sun's power. A few trillionths per year.

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2. moeadh+Lf[view] [source] 2026-02-02 22:47:12
>>gok+h4
In fairness, solar cells can be about 5x more efficient in space (irradiance, uptime).
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3. __alex+Oh[view] [source] 2026-02-02 22:54:10
>>moeadh+Lf
Solar cells have exactly the same power rating on earth as in space surely? What would change is their capacity factor and so energy generation.
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4. crabmu+hr[view] [source] 2026-02-02 23:35:46
>>__alex+Oh
Solar modules you can buy for your house usually have quoted power ratings at "max STC" or Standard Testing Conditions, which are based on insolation on Earth's surface.

https://wiki.pvmet.org/index.php?title=Standard_Test_Conditi...

So, a "400W panel" is rated to produce 400W at standard testing conditions.

I'm not sure how relevant that is to the numbers being thrown around in this thread, but thought I'd provide context.

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