Solar Industry Trends & Challenges - Ivanpah solar electric generating system, once one of the largest solar plants, is scheduled to close due to cheaper alternatives and environmental concerns [1][2] - The Trump administration canceled the review of Esmeralda 7, a solar project planned to power 2 million homes in Nevada [2][3] - Concentrated solar plants are being undercut by the cheapness of photovoltaic panels [4] Technological Advancements & Feasibility - Collecting solar power in space is considered less feasible due to the cheapness and ease of implementing solar panels on Earth [5] - Covering approximately 1.5% of the Earth's land surface with solar panels and wind turbines could meet global power needs [6] Geopolitical & Economic Implications - Canceling the Nevada solar plant (Esmeralda 7) is considered detrimental, as it would have provided 6 gigawatts of cheap solar power [7] - The United States, the inventor of the first solar cell, is losing ground to China in solar panel production [8][9] - China is building solar panels 10 times faster than the United States, potentially leading to economic and political primacy [9]

When you think of solar power, you probably think of energy from the sun on the ground. But what if we could also get solar power from outer space. Technology is making that dream a reality.Heck, outer space is closer to the sun than we are. Dian Holic is here with a continuing series on climate startups. It's a fascinating story, Diana.>> Yeah, Brian. I mean, it sounds sci-fi and in fact, the first idea was floated in an Isaac Asimov short story back in the 1940s. satellites using lasers to basically shoot ...