![]() NASA has studied the idea of putting solar panels in space on and off, meaning occasionally, or from time to time, since the 1960s. ![]() But the idea of solar power from space has existed since the 1960s, as Martin explained to BBC World Service programme, People Fixing The World:Īnd then in really the late 60s, the American scientist Peter Glazier designed first practical, technically practical, system and after that NASA studied it on and off right through the decades, and so it's really only the last six or seven years that it's actually now become economically feasible… so the whole cost of getting things into space has tumbled by over 90%. ![]() Martin’s plans sound like science-fiction, and haven’t been tried out… yet. With no night or changing seasons, it’s believed that solar panels in space would generate 13 times as much electricity as on Earth. Our second surprising solar project is, quite literally, out of this world! Martin Soltau is founder of Space Solar, a company planning to build solar panels 22 thousand miles away, in outer space. Joshua hopes we’ll see more solar canopies in the near future - at some time very soon. If something is enticing, it’s attractive because it offers advantages or pleasures. Solar canopies provide free charging points, making electric cars a cheaper, more enticing option for American drivers. I think in the very near future we're going to see an enormous increase. So we're starting to see more and more of these occur. Of course if Walmart or an equivalent retailer were to do this, they wouldn't just be paying off their investment in green electricity, they would be adding hundreds of thousands of electric charging points across the US which would make switching to electric vehicles more enticing for American drivers. Here’s Myra Anubi, presenter of BBC World Service programme, People Fixing The World, discussing Joshua’s idea: This electricity can be used by the supermarket, or given to customers to charge their electric car for free. Joshua’s canopies protect customers’ cars from the sun and rain, while the solar panels fixed on top generate electricity. ![]() Joshua Pearce, a researcher at Western University in Ontario, Canada, wants Walmart to introduce solar canopies in all their car parks.Ī canopy is a cover fixed over something to provide shelter or decoration. Our first surprising solar project takes place in one of the world’s biggest car parks, owned by US supermarket giant, Walmart. I'll reveal the answer later in the programme. But which ancient Greek philosopher was responsible for this solar heat ray? Was it: In 213 BC, mirrors were used to reflect sunlight back onto Roman ships attacking the city of Syracuse, causing them to catch fire. Harnessing the power of the sun is not new, in fact solar power dates back over 2,700 years. Great! But first I have a question for you, Beth. And, as usual, we'll be learning some useful new vocabulary too. In this programme we’ll be exploring two surprising solar projects to build PV panels in all kinds of weird and wonderful places. As the rooftops in our cities and towns get filled up with solar panels, finding space for them becomes difficult. ![]() Today, the world is generating 10 times more solar electricity than a decade ago, and what's more, solar is the only energy source on track to meet the UN’s 2050 net zero targets.īut there’s a problem: space. As the world switches from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy, solar panels are appearing in more and more places… and with good reason. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript. VocabularyĪ cover fixed over an object such as a bed or car to provide shelter or decorationĪttractive because it offers advantages or pleasuresĭescribes a business or project where the economic advantages achieved are greater than the economic costs Listen to the programme to hear the answer. Which ancient Greek philosopher was responsible for using reflected sunlight to burn Roman ships attacking the city of Syracuse? Solar power is key for meeting net-zero targets, but how can we find space to build more solar panels? Neil and Beth discuss this and teach you some useful vocabulary. ![]()
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