Space Solar Power
Mukesh Kumar
| 19-10-2023
· News team
Numerous reports now discuss solar power in space, a concept once deemed far-fetched but now appearing more achievable due to heightened investments in green technology.
This boosted funding has expanded the scope of innovative clean energy projects.
The idea behind solar power in space is to capture intense, uninterrupted solar radiation by outfitting solar panels and transmission satellites.
Large mirrors direct the sun's rays toward smaller solar collectors, which then transmit the energy back to Earth in the form of microwaves or laser beams.
A Japanese company previously declared its intention to test a space-based solar factory by 2025, joining other organizations globally with bold plans for solar energy production in space.
These companies are actively experimenting with the technology to determine if converting solar energy into microwaves can be effectively sent to Earth's receiving stations.
If successful, it would represent a major milestone in renewable energy, as it would enable us to harness solar power day and night, irrespective of weather conditions.
This endeavor is no easy feat. One significant challenge lies in the exorbitant cost associated with establishing a space-based solar program. Installing sufficient large solar panels to generate 1 GW of electricity would require a staggering $7.2 billion.
Despite this financial obstacle, Japanese researchers are growing increasingly optimistic about the project's prospects.
Japan isn't the only nation advancing in space solar power; the UK has also made substantial investments in this endeavor.
The UK government pledged nearly $5.3 million in funding to a consortium of British universities and technology firms dedicated to advancing space-based solar power.
Among the participants, the University of Cambridge is working on ultralight solar panels designed to withstand the harsh radiation of space.
Meanwhile, Queen Mary University of London is developing a wireless system for the safe transmission of solar energy to Earth.
An independent study conducted in 2021 revealed that space-based solar power has the potential to generate up to 10 GW of electricity annually by 2050.
This could satisfy a quarter of the UK's energy demands. In the event of a successful implementation, the Department for Energy Security and Zero Net anticipates the creation of a multibillion-pound industry and the generation of 143,000 new job opportunities.
Recent global advancements in space solar power have transformed this once-seemingly implausible idea into a progressively attainable concept.
If the project continues to thrive, it holds the potential to provide a consistent source of solar-based electricity, catering to more requirements.