Space Solar Startup Unveils Plan to Beam Renewable Energy from Orbit

A new company aims to turn Earth’s solar farms into 24-hour power stations. The startup Overview Energy revealed its plans today after operating in stealth mode. It intends to collect sunlight in space and beam it to the ground using infrared lasers.

The ambitious project seeks to solve solar power’s biggest limitation: nighttime. According to TechCrunch, the company has secured $20 million in initial funding. This capital has already powered a successful airborne test of its core technology.

How Orbital Solar Collection and Laser Beams Work

The concept hinges on massive solar arrays placed in geosynchronous orbit. This is about 22,000 miles above Earth. Satellites there match our planet’s rotation, providing constant sunlight.

The collected energy is converted into infrared laser light. This beam is then transmitted to utility-scale solar farms on the ground. Existing farm infrastructure would convert the light back into electricity for the grid.

This approach allows for nearly round-the-clock energy production. A recent test saw a laser transmit power to a ground receiver from 3 miles away. Investors backing the vision include Lowercarbon Capital and Prime Movers Lab.

The Roadmap and Challenges for Space-Based Power

Overview Energy has set an aggressive development timeline. It plans a demonstration satellite in low Earth orbit by 2028. The goal is to beam megawatts of power from geosynchronous orbit by 2030.

The company faces significant technical and economic hurdles. Launch costs, while falling, remain high. Wireless power transmission technology is still in its early stages.

It also faces competition from other firms and technologies. Rivals are exploring microwave-based transmission methods. Meanwhile, ground-based battery storage costs continue to fall rapidly.

Public safety perception is another major hurdle. The company must prove its laser beams are perfectly safe and accurate. It must also achieve high efficiency to make the multi-step energy conversion worthwhile.

The space solar startup represents a bold step toward a constant clean energy supply. If successful, Overview Energy’s technology could fundamentally change how we harness the sun. The race to turn science fiction into a working power grid is officially on.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: How does space-based solar power work?

Large solar panels in orbit collect constant sunlight. They convert it into a laser or microwave beam. This beam is sent to a receiver station on Earth to generate electricity.

Q2: Is beaming energy from space safe?

Companies are developing precise systems with automatic shutoffs. These are designed to prevent beams from hitting birds or aircraft. The technology must still undergo rigorous public and regulatory safety reviews.

Q3: When could this technology become a reality?

Overview Energy aims for a test satellite launch in 2028. Its goal for operational, megawatt-scale power from geosynchronous orbit is 2030. This timeline is ambitious and depends on technical and funding milestones.

Q4: What is the advantage over ground-based solar?

Orbital solar arrays avoid nighttime and cloudy weather. They can generate power nearly 24 hours a day. This provides a more consistent and reliable energy stream than terrestrial solar farms.

Q5: Who is funding these space solar projects?

Several venture capital firms are investing. Overview Energy’s $20 million round includes Lowercarbon Capital and Prime Movers Lab. Funding indicates growing investor belief in the technology’s potential.

Q6: What are the biggest technical challenges?

Efficient wireless power transmission over long distances is a major hurdle. Reducing the cost of launching and assembling massive structures in space is another. The systems must also prove to be economically competitive with other clean energy storage solutions.