Is solar power from space on the horizon?

Blame a lack of funding, rather than innovation.  The United States, Europe and Japan have developed projects that would beam solar power from space, where the sun is constantly shining and is not filtered by the atmosphere or weather patterns.  However, in order to test and implement them requires a great deal of capital that governments simply do not have.

According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA):

“High-accuracy beam control technologies both for microwave and laser power transmission, construction of large space structures (kilometer-scale), and low-cost space transportation are the major challenges.”

Not only is expense a major hurdling block, but there is not consensus on the best way to transmit the collected solar power back to Earth.  Solaren Corp. will use microwaves to supply solar power for utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric by 2016, but laser beams are the preferred method of Europe’s EADS Astrium.

Solar energy above the atmosphere can be transmitted to Earth

Once we finally agree on a method to transmit solar power from space, addressing the… um… “sky high” costs is the next step.   Yet, a recent cost analysis by JAXA and another Japanese space agency, the Institute for Unmanned Space Experiment Free Flyer, determined that space-based solar power might eventually cost only 10 to 20 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), which would make it competitive with fossil fuels.

But we’re talking at least 20 years from now, according to the agency.  Don’t expect a viable space solar power system until the 2030s at the earliest.

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!

Space solar power

There have been a number of articles recently discussing space solar power.  That is, harnessing solar energy from the stratosphere.  More and more these days, companies are joining the ranks of people who agree that solar power from space could help solve the global climate change and energy crisis problems.

In fact, some say that its the only answer to our future energy demands.

In my home state of Washington, PowerSat Corporation (based in Everett – home of Boeing too), has filed for a provisional patent for two technologies it claims could help make the transmission of solar power from space more cost-effective.  In addition, Solaren, another space solar power company based in Manhattan Beach, California is now working with PG&E to provide solar power from above.

Not to put too many eggs in one basket, but there are some people that believe – without solar power from space – we’ll be unable to meet energy demands in less than 100 years.

Space solar power is stronger and more reliable than on earth

SSP could very easily be the source of the future.  Why?  Because it can provide nearly unlimited, carbon-free power!  And, above the atmosphere, solar energy is 5 times as powerful.

As noted by PowerSat:

“Now, PowerSat has come up with two technologies that it claims could shave off roughly $1 billion in launch and operation costs for a 2.5-megawatt power station. The first of these is called BrightStar. Instead of one large satellite, Brightstar uses a cluster of hundreds of small ones, which work together — similar to cloud computing — to transmit the power as a group.”

If that doesn’t work, Solar Power Orbital Transfer is next in line.  This technology uses a solar array for wireless power transmission, which provides energy for electronic thrusters to boost satellites thousands of miles above the planet’s surface.

All this exciting news aside, the biggest hurdle for space solar power is funding.  As you might expect, its a very expensive venture, and not all investors are convinced of either the need for it, or whether it will produce promised results.

Space may in our lifetime always be the “final frontier.”  Still, I hope that the dreams lead to some serious “real life” solar power for our lives here on Earth one day soon.