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Solar energy could come from space panels as technology advances


Picture a vast field of solar panels, ranging in an unbroken array across nearly a square mile of land. Now shift that image into outer space, with the giant structure sitting tens of thousands of miles above Earth’s surface, and you have a sense of what space-based solar power seeks to achieve.

The drive for this energy source comes not just from its advantages over land-based solar, but also from characteristics that set it apart from most other energy sources.

Proponents say it can help power parts of the world that struggle to tap into more traditional forms of energy – either because of their remote location, or because the related infrastructure simply doesn’t exist.

Why We Wrote This

Solar panels in space have potential to bring power to remote locations or to areas hit by natural disaster. Private companies and others are working to refine the technology.

“Solar, fusion, nuclear, coal – you name it – you have to have a plant somewhere and provide infrastructure to support it,” says Paul Jaffe, a former electronics engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. “With space solar, you have potential to redirect the energy from a satellite to anywhere on Earth.”

Technology is advancing

In a sign that the technology is stepping beyond the realm of science fiction, Space Solar, a British startup, recently penned a world-first partnership with an Icelandic energy company to supply solar power from space by 2030 – envisioning satellites sufficient to power around 3,000 homes.

Space Solar has also blazed past another milestone in being the first to demonstrate 360-degree power beaming technology – meaning solar panels can beam energy back to Earth, no matter how they rotate to continue facing the sun.



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