# broadcast power redux **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [June 25, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-power-redux/454231 "2008-06-25T21:21:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-power-redux/454231/1 "2008-06-25T21:21:56Z")
[Cecil’s column on broadcast power](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_274.html) I keep seeing references to space-based solar energy collectors that would somehow transmit power back to earth and solve all our energy problems. Did something change such that the idea has become feasible or are yahoos that don’t know what they are talking about start proposing this again? Thanks, Rob ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-power-redux/454231/2 "2008-06-26T02:35:41Z")
It has always been feasible. However, the initial investment is very large indeed, and there are safety problems. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-power-redux/454231/3 "2008-06-26T06:25:59Z")
The difference is between a directed, and possibly collimated, beam, from one place (solar satellite) to another (earth receiver); and broadcast power, which must by definition suffer from the inverse square law, and almost all of which will not be picked up by its intended recipients.