text: Space-based solar power essentially consists of three elements:
  # collecting solar energy in space with reflectors or inflatable mirrors onto solar cells or heaters for thermal systems
  # wireless power transmission to Earth via microwave or laser
  # receiving power on Earth via a rectenna, a microwave antenna
  The space-based portion will not need to support itself against gravity (other than relatively weak tidal stresses). It needs no protection from terrestrial wind or weather, but will have to cope with space hazards such as micrometeors and solar flares. Two basic methods of conversion have been studied: photovoltaic (PV) and solar dynamic (SD). Most analyses of SBSP have focused on photovoltaic conversion using solar cells that directly convert sunlight into electricity. Solar dynamic uses mirrors to concentrate light on a boiler. The use of solar dynamic could reduce mass per watt. Wireless power transmission was proposed early on as a means to transfer energy from collection to the Earth's surface, using either microwave or laser radiation at a variety of frequencies.