A UK-based technology firm, Space Solar, is planning to launch a solar space farm that could contribute to Britain’s future energy supply. The proposed 2-kilometer-long farm of solar panels would orbit above Earth and transmit energy to receivers on the planet, similar to the way mobile phone signals are transmitted.
Space Solar’s technology leverages the intense sunlight in space, which is approximately ten times stronger than on Earth, and can be captured 24 hours a day.
The company believes that space-based solar power can be an important source of renewable energy, producing more power than terrestrial equivalents. According to Space Solar, this technology could be a vital power source for the UK, requiring only half the land area of terrestrial solar farms and one-tenth the area of offshore wind farms while delivering 13 times more renewable energy.
In recent years, advancements in reusable space launches have made the concept of space-based solar power more economically viable. Space Solar aims to have a substantial impact on achieving net-zero emissions and providing a sustainable energy source for the future.
The company’s long-term vision is to supply 20% of Earth’s energy using 600 satellites. This ambitious project aligns with the growing global interest in space-based solar power, as evidenced by the European Space Agency’s plans for a solar farm floating 36,000 kilometers above Earth. The UK government has also shown support for space-based solar research by allocating funding for related projects, further emphasizing the technology’s potential to transform clean energy production.