outer space

harnessing the stars

Space-based solar power is the concept of collecting solar power in outer space by solar power satellites and distributing it to Earth.

Some of the earliest uses of solar technology were actually in outer space where solar was used to power satellites:

In 1958, the Vanguard I satellite used a tiny one-watt panel to power its radios.
Later that year the Vanguard II, Explorer III and Sputnik-3 were all launched with PV technology on board.
In 1964, NASA was responsible for launching the first Nimbus spacecraft, a satellite able to run entirely on a 470 watt solar array.
In 1966, NASA launched the first Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, powered by a one-kilowatt array.

Advantages of Space-based solar power:

The intensity is approximately 144% of the maximum attainable intensity on Earth’s surface
Orbiting satellites can be exposed to a consistently high degree of solar radiation, generally for 24 hours per day, whereas on earth is 29% of the day
Power could be relatively quickly redirected directly to areas that need it most
Reduced plant and wildlife interference

“There is no day and night or seasons or clouds in space. If you look at the total energy that’s available for photovoltaics in space, it’s eight to nine times higher”

Earth’s atmosphere reflects about 30% of the sunlight that solar panels could collect. While this is important for keeping Earth too hot, for energy purposes, that’s a lot of lost potential.

How is Electricity Generated?

Space-based solar power involves putting photovoltaics in geostationary orbit—where we have weather satellites—and sending the energy they collect back to Earth via a microwave power beam. The microwave power from space-based solar would be received at a power station and used to generate electricity.

At night, the some satellites have the ability to orient to face the sun.

the evolution of

solar technology