SUN ON THE MOON

The Energy Paradigm Shift Opens the Door to a Sustainable Society
May-June 2011 (Shimizu Corporation)

"A shift from economical use of limited resources to the unlimited use of clean energy is the ultimate dream…The LUNA RING, our lunar solar power generation concept, translates this dream into reality…with advanced space technologies.

"Virtually inexhaustible, nonpolluting solar energy is the ultimate source of green energy…Lunar resources will be used to the fullest extent possible in constructing the Solar Belt…Water can be produced by reducing lunar soil with hydrogen that is imported from the Earth. Cementing material can also be extracted from lunar resources. These materials will be mixed with lunar soil and gravel to make concrete. Bricks, glass fibers and other structural materials can also be produced by solar-heat treatments."

from Shimizu Corp - click to enlarge

"The Solar Belt Configuration [is made up of]….[1] Lunar solar cells…[extending] like a belt along the entire 11,000km lunar equator. This belt will grow in width from a few kilometers to 400km…

"…[2] Electric power cables…[to] transfer the electric power from the lunar solar cells to the transmission facilities…[3] 20km-diameter [microwave power transmission] antennas will transmit power to the receiving rectennas. A guidance beacon (radio beacon) brought from the Earth will be used to ensure accurate transmission…"

from Shimizu Corp - click to enlarge

"…[4] High-energy-density laser [transmission] will be beamed to the receiving facilities…[5] Materials needed for the construction and maintenance of the Solar Belt will be transported along [a lunar equator transport] route. Electric power cables will be installed under the transportation route.

"…[6] Solar cell production plants…will move automatically while producing solar cells from lunar resources and installing them…"