example, the cost of one watt of electricity is higher in the developing countries, particularly in rural areas, than in the developed nations. As a result, the sudden availability of electricity in a developing country at a cost of $l-2/W may make solar energy highly competitive with other energy sources. In contrast, the cost of one watt in a developed country might have to drop as low as 50«i in order to compete with established lower energy costs. One further benefit which developing countries, in particular, would enjoy is the availability of energy for rural populations. The World Bank has estimated that “electricity reaches only 4, 15 and 23% of the rural populations of Africa, Asia and Latin America respectively” (6). With the capacity of a terrestrial solar power receiving station for distributing such energy, vast areas of the Third World might acquire access to electricity on a much wider scale. As electrical systems are generally more fully established in the developed countries, the effects of solar power inputs would be less marked. In terms of the effect that a solar power satellite might have in the developing countries, one study has indicated that to add one solar power satellite to the electrical system in a country such as the United States would change its capacity by 2% whereas to add one solar power satellite in India would increase India's electrical capacity by 40% (7). Despite the potential opportunities afforded by a satellite solar power system, the difficulties of establishing such a system are considerable. As noted earlier, the difficulties which presently exist preclude any serious planning, whether by developed or developing countries. However, as scientific and technological breakthroughs continue, solutions to many current obstacles may be found. The single most important objection to establishing a satellite solar power system today is its cost. According to a study prepared by the U.S. Department of Energy, estimates of research and development and industrial infrastructure costs are as much as $100 billion. The resulting cost per kilowatt could initially fall anywhere from $3,100 up to a prohibitive $16,000. Such cost compares with an estimated $2,000 per kilowatt for a new coal-fired plant on Earth. This, in addition to the high level of technology required, successfully prohibits any single nation from attempting such a project in the near future. Other problems exist, however, in addition to the economic and technical requirements of a system. Although offering a relatively pollution-free source of energy on Earth, the effects of microwave radiation upon animals and humans have yet to be clearly determined. Microwave beams could also disturb radio frequencies and affect both the atmosphere and ionosphere. Further study must also be given to the possible effects of frequent rocket launches and their exhaust upon the ozone layer surrounding the Earth. A final difficulty is the need to identify receiving sites of 100 km2 which avoid population centers, national parks, military reservations, major highways and other fixed entities. These considerations, in addition to cost and technological requirements, also contribute in restraining any early efforts towards establishing a satellite solar power system. In terms of current costs and capabilities, no single nation possesses the combination of resources and commitment essential for the establishment of a satellite system. At present, such a system could be considered only in the context of an international program based upon a large proportion of the cost and technological capability being provided by the developed countries. This in itself would pose a major problem as the developed countries would require convincing that such tremendous investment would actually have a corresponding return. The developing countries, in
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==