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Space-Based Solar Power: Promise, Limits and Costs

26 August 20251 min read
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYSpace-Based SolarPower: Promise,Limits and Costs26 August 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Ground solar faces intermittency and land limits, so researchers examined power satellites for steady, zero-carbon electricity.

Key facts

  • IEA Renewables 2024: solar to drive 80% of global renewable growth by 2030.
  • Simulations of NASA’s heliostat swarm and planar array designs show technical feasibility.
  • Mirror-like reflectors keep panels facing the sun, giving dispatchable zero-carbon power.

Advantages

  • Round-the-clock supply, unaffected by weather or day and night.
  • Stronger solar radiation in space.
  • No large land requirement.

Challenges

  • Gigantic infrastructure; launch and construction costs remain very high.
  • A satellite may span 1 km, with ground receivers ten times larger.
  • Hundreds of launches, versus 40 for the International Space Station.
  • Orbital congestion, transmission interruptions and beaming variability unresolved.

Exam angle

  • Orbit: geostationary.
  • Chain: sunlight, microwave beam, ground electricity.

Test yourself

1. In space-based solar power, in which orbit are the solar satellites placed?

The notes say satellites are placed in geostationary orbit.

2. How is energy sent from space to Earth in SBSP?

Sunlight is converted to microwave energy and beamed down.

3. The King's College London study suggests SBSP could meet what share of Europe's renewable needs by 2050?

It suggests 80% of Europe's renewable energy needs.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 26 August 2025 (15 topics).

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