News flash, 4/1/19! Alterra (of Squaw Valley ski resort) and the Planetary Society have teamed up to address issues from climate change. Alterra has been at the forefront of green energy including a Tesla battery storage facility at Squaw Valley for storing solar energy. The Planetary Society has developed a Lightsail of ultra thin mylar that uses the light pressure from the sun to maneuver in earth orbit. Partnering together, these leaders have come up with a step forward.
Alterra has funded the Planetary Society's most ambitious plan to date, a 10 mile (16 km) radius Lightsail. Strategically placed, the Lightsail will cast a shadow on a location on the surface of Earth. The ability of the Lightsail to move means that the shadowed spot can stay over one spot for an extended period of time.
As part of the funding contract, the Lightsail will shadow Squaw Valley at strategic times. This shadow should lower the local temperature a couple degrees. That should be enough to cool some storms enough to transition them from rain to snow. Alterra expects to significantly enhance the snowfall at Squaw Valley by this effect. Extended winter conditions, larger local snowpack and better ski conditions should result.
Skiers rejoice!
Alterra has funded the Planetary Society's most ambitious plan to date, a 10 mile (16 km) radius Lightsail. Strategically placed, the Lightsail will cast a shadow on a location on the surface of Earth. The ability of the Lightsail to move means that the shadowed spot can stay over one spot for an extended period of time.
As part of the funding contract, the Lightsail will shadow Squaw Valley at strategic times. This shadow should lower the local temperature a couple degrees. That should be enough to cool some storms enough to transition them from rain to snow. Alterra expects to significantly enhance the snowfall at Squaw Valley by this effect. Extended winter conditions, larger local snowpack and better ski conditions should result.
Skiers rejoice!
