Another dumb "why can't we do this with energy" question

Is there any way to “beam” energy without wires, or massive electrical arcs?

IIRC, there was some buzz a few years ago about putting satellites with huge solar cells to collect energy and then somehow beaming that energy to stations here on Earth.

I apologize in advance if this question is as stupid as it might first seem.

Gerard K O’Neil proposed beaming the energy to earth with microwaves.

See also Solar Power Satellites: An Idea Whose Time Has Come.

Note that there would probably be environmentalist and possibly anti-terrorist concerns about giant energy beam stations orbiting the Earth.

Here’s Cecil on the topic:

What’s up with “broadcast power”?

Arjuna34