Demonstration of eye-safe (1550 nm) terrestrial laser power beaming at 30 m and subsequent conversion into electrical power using dedicated photovoltaics

We report on the successful demonstration of terrestrial laser power beaming across a distance of 30 m at an eye-safe wavelength of 1550 nm. Using novel photovoltaic convertors based on III-V semiconductors an optical to electrical power conversion efficiency of 45±1 % at 1 kW/m2 and room temperature was achieved. Such an energy delivery system could prove extremely useful as a future energy source specifically in regions and targets where conventional energy delivery systems are un-deployable.