zlacker

>>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.

>>gok+h4
In fairness, solar cells can be about 5x more efficient in space (irradiance, uptime).

>>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.

>>__alex+Oh
The atmosphere is in the way, and they get pretty dirty on earth. Also it doesn't rain or get cloudy in space

>>bastaw+Mi
even at 10% (say putting it on some northen pile of snow) it is still cheaper to put it on earth than launch it

>>Punchy+ls
would you prefer big tech to piss their waste heat into your rivers, soils and atmosphere?

or would you prefer them to go to the bathroom upstairs?

at some point big tech is in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation...