> even efficiency is poor. Not really. The atmosphere does reduce solar energy at the surface, but the fact we're 1 AU from the sun is the major reason we re

> even efficiency is poor. Not really. The atmosphere does reduce solar energy at the surface, but the fact we're 1 AU from the sun is the major reason we receive so little power. The costs of putting things into orbit and maintaining things in orbit are unlikely to ever overcome the atmospheric difference. Plus, on the surface of the Earth, you get convective cooling in atmosphere "for free." Good luck keeping your panels cool on orbit.