Solar Power That’s Out of this World

EADS Astrium Solar Panel Laser: Solar Power That's Out of this World

Europe’s biggest space company, EADS Astrium (an aerospace subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company), has announced that its entering the field of space-based solar power.  Over the past few years, there has been a lot of talk about space solar power – also known as SSP – but many have dismissed the idea as a little too…. out of this world.

EADS Astrium joins several other companies that believe in the future of this futuristic renewable energy resource and are making investments accordingly.  Pulling solar power from space can actually be more efficient than earth-mounted solar panels as you can have exposure to sunlight 24/7 without weather disturbances or the pesky darkness that falls every 12 hours or so on Earth.  In addition, the concentration of energy from sunlight gathered in outer space is significantly more intense.

Its one thing to gather space solar power with giant solar panels, but another task to transmit the solar energy back down to earth.  EADS Astrium has devised an infrared laser system that will beam the collected solar power to transmittal stations where it can be fed into the grid by utilities purchasing the power.

The lasers will be an improvement over prior SSP designs that planned for microwave transmission systems; these often raised safety concerns and appeared to be relatively inefficient.  By 2020, Astrium plans on having a space based solar power demonstration project in place.

Solar Power from Space

Will we enjoy solar power that’s out of this world during our lifetime?  What once seemed like science fiction is steadily gaining traction throughout Europe, Japan and the United States.  With advances like EADS Astrium’s laser transmittal system, the prohibitive cost of SSP appears to be coming down, while efficiencies increase.

It may be less than a decade before we’re reaching for the stars for solar renewable energy!

Tags: eads astrium, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, solar panels space, solar power from space, solar renewable energy, space based solar power, space solar power, SSP