Solar energy is practically unlimited. The problems that we encounter while harvesting solar energy are that sufficient arrays for our needs take up a great deal of space, are dependent on good weather, and there are potential consequences of absorbing so much energy before it reaches the ground. Cooling an area may affect the ecology. A solution may exist, though, in space.
A vast solar collector in space, perhaps even hundreds km across, would be hardly noticeable. It would collect solar energy and beam it to receivers on or near Earth. It would always be lit by the sun 100%. Consistent beams could be achieved by placing the collecting stations at
Lagrange points L1, L4, or L5. Receivers may have to shift, and there may be relays in geosynchronous orbit over ground stations. There could even be a receiver at the end of a space elevator by the time we have the technology to pull this off.
As with current solar power technology, initial costs are high, and it can take many years to realize financial savings.
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