Science & Tech · Space · 21 hrs ago
Countries and companies race to develop solar power from space
Countries and companies are developing space-based solar power to send energy from orbit to Earth.
Ground-based solar power is limited by night, clouds, atmospheric conditions and seasonal changes, while sunlight in space is constant.
The proposed systems would use satellites in geostationary orbit, about 35,000 kilometres above Earth, to beam energy to large receiving structures on the ground.
The technology could supply remote areas without requiring a new power plant or expansion of the traditional electricity grid.
China, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan are exploring projects, while UK company Space Solar plans two demonstration missions in the coming years.
Space Solar aims to develop a large orbital structure called Cassiopeia, but the technology is still being tested and developed.
Other projects target power for AI data centres: SpaceX has sought permission to launch a million satellites, and Overview Energy plans a satellite system by 2030 to beam power to Meta data centres.
Several countries and companies are developing systems to beam solar power from space to Earth.
The technology aims to provide electricity more consistently than ground-based solar power, which is affected by night, clouds and atmospheric conditions.
Proposed systems would use satellites in geostationary orbit to transmit energy to receivers on Earth.
Projects and plans include efforts in China, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan.
SpaceX has applied to launch a satellite constellation for powering AI data centres, while Overview Energy plans a system for Meta by 2030.
- Who
- Countries including China, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan, along with companies such as Space Solar, SpaceX and Overview Energy.
- What
- They are developing or planning systems to beam solar power from space to Earth.
- When
- Projects are under way, with Overview Energy aiming to develop a satellite constellation by 2030.
- Where
- The projects involve space-based satellites transmitting power to receiving stations or solar panels on Earth.
- Why
- To access solar power more consistently and reduce dependence on land-based energy infrastructure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Star Catcher demonstrated beaming sunlight across the length of a football pitch in Florida.
SpaceX applied to the Federal Communications Commission for permission to launch a constellation of 1 million satellites.
Overview Energy announced plans for a satellite constellation by 2030 to beam 1 GW of power to Meta’s AI data centres.
- Orbit altitude
- 35,000 km above Earth
- Space Solar proposed structure
- Cassiopeia, 1.8 km wide
- UK government funding
- Around $1.6 million
- SpaceX application
- 1 million satellites
- Overview Energy target
- 1 GW of power by 2030
What people are saying
We beamed 100 watts about 105 metres.
By directly harnessing near-constant solar power with little operating or maintenance costs, these satellites will achieve transformative cost and energy efficiency while significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with terrestrial data centres,
Under our agreement, Meta has 24/7 access to the beam capacity.