Solar Sail pin wheel generator

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Two major problems:
1. There would have to be two windmills turning in opposite directions
to provide the opposing force. And of course there are possible
precession problems.
2. The main problem is that in order to provide the necessary
stiffness for the whole system to survive rapid changes in electrical
load would add a lot of mass. Better to keep moving (hence strong
parts that fail and need replaced) in a concentrated area and use thin
weak parts in passive areas.
Mitchell James

| > I have gotten into an argument with someone, who came up with the
| > idea of setting up a Solar Sail as a windmill with rotating about
| > a generator.
| > His thought process going along the lines of the sunlight provides
| > a constant acceleration so the sail will just keep rotating faster
| > and faster and generate electricity in greater amounts.
| >
| > To me it seems intuitive that it would not work, at least not in
| > the way he is thinking of, but I am not sure how to go about
| > showing that, or showing that I am wrong.

| I think that this might just work. But it would have to be
| ginormous. I mean, powersat big, or even bigger.

| > So does anyone have any ideas about how to work out if it is
| > feasible or not ?

| Like you, I wouldn't know how to prove your friend right or wrong on
| this. I look forward to reading answers from those who *might* know.

| > (I have mentioned parabolic dish mirrors to him.)

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