Could Solar Satellites Be the Key to Infinite Energy?

[NickB79]

3. The problem has never been the satellites themselves. It's getting them up there that's a bitch

The current cost to move material from Earth to orbit is measured in thousands of dollars per pound. Until we can get that number to come down significantly, we won't be able to place sufficient numbers of power satellites in orbit to make a dent in global energy demands. The boost in solar panel efficiency is more than offset by the enormous up-front cost of launch.

Short of a space elevator or a way to manufacture the satellites off-planet (either on the Moon or from a captured asteroid), it will be a long time before we see orbital solar satellites being more than a niche market for clean energy.