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cowlinator
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Solar panels cannot operate at night.

If we put self-adjusting mirrors on the near side of the moon, they could reflect sunlight back to the dark Earth, allowing solar panels to operate at night.

How much of the moon would have to be covered in mirrors in order to allow Earth-based solar panels to operate at, say, 25% of daytime capacity?

(Let's assume that the reflected light is focused on the whole Earth, roughly evenly distributed.)

Also, which location(s) on the moon's near side would be more optimal/efficient (if any), and how much "light pollution" would this create?

Solar panels cannot operate at night.

If we put self-adjusting mirrors on the near side of the moon, they could reflect sunlight back to the dark Earth, allowing solar panels to operate at night.

How much of the moon would have to be covered in mirrors in order to allow Earth-based solar panels to operate at, say, 25% of daytime capacity?

(Let's assume that the reflected light is focused on the whole Earth, roughly evenly distributed.)

Also, how much "light pollution" would this create?

Solar panels cannot operate at night.

If we put self-adjusting mirrors on the near side of the moon, they could reflect sunlight back to the dark Earth, allowing solar panels to operate at night.

How much of the moon would have to be covered in mirrors in order to allow Earth-based solar panels to operate at, say, 25% of daytime capacity?

(Let's assume that the reflected light is focused on the whole Earth, roughly evenly distributed.)

Also, which location(s) on the moon's near side would be more optimal/efficient (if any), and how much "light pollution" would this create?

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cowlinator
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  • 14
  • 18

Can mirrors on the moon allow solar panels to operate at night?

Solar panels cannot operate at night.

If we put self-adjusting mirrors on the near side of the moon, they could reflect sunlight back to the dark Earth, allowing solar panels to operate at night.

How much of the moon would have to be covered in mirrors in order to allow Earth-based solar panels to operate at, say, 25% of daytime capacity?

(Let's assume that the reflected light is focused on the whole Earth, roughly evenly distributed.)

Also, how much "light pollution" would this create?