Pentagon Backs Ambitious Plan to Beam Solar Power From Space
Space-based solar power just got another powerful vote of confidence. The United States Department of Defense just inked a contract with solar energy company Overview Energy to “design, build, and test a homing beacon that will enable its space-based solar energy system to accurately beam power from orbit to receiving solar arrays on Earth,” according to a brand new report from Interesting…
The U.S. Department of Defense has given its backing to an ambitious plan to beam solar power from space, according to a report by Interesting Engineering. The Pentagon signed a contract with solar energy firm Overview Energy to design, build, and test a homing beacon that will accurately transmit power from orbit to receiving solar arrays on Earth.
The concept involves solar panels orbiting the Earth, collecting sunlight and then beaming it back down using lasers or microwave beams. This technology could address several challenges facing traditional solar power, including intermittency and the need for vast land areas. If successful, space-based solar power could provide continuous clean energy 24/7, eliminating the mismatch between peak generation and peak demand.
The first demonstration of the technology is planned for 2028, with deployment of a constellation of GEO satellites to begin in 2030. Overview Energy's co-CEO, Darko Filipi, stated that the technology could provide utility-scale power, while the company has also secured a deal with Meta to provide up to 1 gigawatt of space-based solar energy.
However, some experts remain skeptical about the economics of the technology, preferring other proven clean energy sources like nuclear and geothermal.
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