Solar panels on Earth have one fatal flaw: Night time. The solution? Put solar panels in orbit, where the Sun never sets. This is the concept of Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP).
Caltech Breakthrough
This year, Caltech's MAPLE prototype successfully transmitted electrical energy wirelessly (microwave beaming) from space to a receiver on a Pasadena lab roof. Efficiency is still low, but the proof of concept is monumental.
Global Impact
SBSP could beam electricity to disaster zones or remote areas without cables. This is the first step towards a true Tesla-style planetary energy grid.