The LUNA RING

Architectural/engineering firm Shimizu has proposed a Moon-based solar power plant to solve our energy and climate crisis here on Earth. And also Japan, which was hurt by the devastating Fukushima meltdown in 2011, is actively seeking out alternative power resources to wean itself off nuclear energy. So, Shimizu wants to build a giant strip of solar panels 248 miles wide all the way around the Moon’s equator. Then, they’d send the energy back to Earth in the form of microwaves, which we’d convert into carbon-free energy at stations on the ground. Proposed for operation as early as 2035. Since, the moon has no atmosphere; the cells would be continuously harnessing solar power. Shimizu have also proposed pyramid cities and a space hotel, so the Luna Ring might not be the wildest thing in their minds. Given that California has already signed a contract to buy electricity from Solaren’s Earth-orbiting power plant, a Moon unit can’t be that far behind.

Green energy

The Shimizu Corporation, Japan what it is planning to build a solar power plant on the moon, Called the LUNA RING, the project will harness sun's power and beam it to the earth.The firm planning this incredible feat, plans to place solar cells near the moon's equator. The belt of cells will be about 400 kilometers (248 miles) and will soak-up the sun's energy and direct it to earth in the form of microwaves and lasers."Virtually inexhaustible, nonpolluting solar energy is the ultimate source of green energy that brings prosperity to nature as well as our lives," the company said.

Constructing a Solar Power Grid on Moon

The firm wants to employ an army of robots to help build the solar grid. Shimizu will use lunar resources to construct the Solar Belt, which will stretch to about 11,000km in length (6835 miles). Machines and equipment will be manufactured on earth and sent to moon for installation. A team of astronauts will manage robotic surface operations. "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," the company also said. As our atmosphere is virtually transparent to microwaves and lasers, Shimizu envisages solar energy being fed through microwave/laser transmitters located around the Earth-facing side of the moon. As the moon orbits the Earth and the Earth rotates, international receiving stations will feed electricity grids with plentiful lunar solar power as the moon rises to when it sets.