Space Solar

Delivering a revolutionary vision to enable Net Zero and global energy security with Space-Based Solar Power.

Created: 2023-01-22

Updated: 2024-03-02

Company - Space Solar

Founded
Country
2022
UK
Funding
$4.3M+
Website
Space Solar
Social
Space Solar

Product/Service - CASSIOPeiA

Classification
Space Utilities
Category
Space Solar Power
Power Beaming
Fields
Wireless Power Transfer
Status
Development
First launch
Not announced

Space-Based Solar Power is the concept of harvesting solar energy in space and beaming it to earth continuously, safely and securely.

The system comprises a kilometre scale satellite in a high earth orbit. It features lightweight solar panels and a system of mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto the panels. The electricity generated is converted into high frequency radio waves, and the power is beamed to a receiving antenna at a fixed point on the ground below.

  1. Solar Reflectors – The orientation of the satellites is sun pointing to constantly reflect sunlight onto the solar panel array below.
  2. Solar Panels and Transmitters – 60,000 layers of power modules collect the sunlight from the reflectors and convert this to high-frequency radio waves.
  3. Power Transmission – A coherent, collimated beam of radio waves is transmitted to a rectifying antenna on the ground.

The system collects the solar energy and transmits it down to earth. A 2GW satellite weighs 2,000 tonnes, is 1.7km in diameter and its unique architecture allows it to operate in a range of orbits, including Geosynchronous, at 36,000 km, or Highly Elliptical Orbits. This gives good operational utility for a range of energy markets and regions on earth.

The ‘rectenna’ is a large but sparse net-like structure holding the small dipoles which convert the microwave energy into electricity.
It is typically several kilometres in diameter, though the area is just 8% of a wind farm delivering equivalent energy output, and could be sited offshore adjacent to wind farms.

CASSIOPeiA – the market leading Solar Power Satellite design

Of the Solar Power Satellite concepts which can deliver 24/7 baseload power, the most capable is CASSIOPeiA. Conceived by the UK company IECL it has patented design features which offer strong economic and operational benefits, with a best-in-class specific power predicted to be 1 kW/kg.
This results in a low Levelised Cost of Electricity competitive with intermittent terrestrial renewables.

Space Solar Takes Major Step Forward with its CASSIOPeiA Concept, 2023-02-07

News, Research, Projects and Patents

Title Type Date Summary
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM plans solar power station in space News 2023-01-19

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