Europe's biggest space company developing space based solar power

[bananas]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8467472.stm

EADS Astrium develops space power concept
By Jonathan Amos
Science reporter, BBC News

Europe's biggest space company is seeking partners to fly a demonstration solar power mission in orbit.

EADS Astrium says the satellite system would collect the Sun's energy and transmit it to Earth via an infrared laser, to provide electricity.

<snip>

"On the receive side, the conversion of this infrared energy into electricity - that's something which is progressing very fast and we are working with the University of Surrey (in the UK) to develop converters.

<snip>

"We have reached a point where, in the next five years, we could build something which is in the order of 10-20 kW to transmit useful energy to the ground."

These could also be used for lunar and Mars bases (if we ever get beyond earth orbit again).