Power collection and transmission system and method

A method of transmitting a microwave beam to at least one receiver located in the radiating near field region of the microwave beam, comprising:

• collecting solar radiation incident on a plurality of solar power collecting assemblies;
• forming a microwave radiating aperture of predetermined area by arranging an array of separate, spaced apart microwave sources to form a series of separate microwave beams directed at a series of separate microwave reflectors for reflecting and redirecting the separate beams into a common beam direction and expanding the effective microwave emitting area to substantially fill the microwave radiating aperture, the microwave reflectors being positioned so as to apparently define a radiating aperture of said predetermined area when viewed from the common beam direction;
• connecting the microwave sources to conversion means associated with the solar power collecting assemblies for converting the collected power into a power form suitable for connection to said microwave sources, each solar power collecting assembly and associated conversion means being connected to at least a respective one of said microwave sources;
• controlling the phase of the microwave beams emitted from the microwave sources so as to combine the separate beams into at least one composite, shaped microwave beam directed from said microwave reflectors, the composite beam having a separate radiating near field and far field region;
• and
• receiving the microwave beam at at least one microwave receiver assembly located in the radiating near field region of the microwave beam.