Could Space Based Solar Play A Role For Europe’s Renewables Push?

A new study from King’s College London says that using solar power generated in space could dramatically reduce Europe’s land needs for renewable energy - by as much as 80%. This shift could help Europe reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 faster and at a lower cost. So far, solar in space has been used mainly to power satellites and other missions, which has helped in the development of solar innovations immensely. 

What Did the Study Find?

The study found that space solar panels could reduce the amount of land needed for wind and ground-based solar power by up to 80 percent, leading to massive land savings. 

Additionally, this system has the potential to save Europe up to 35.9 billion euros annually by lowering overall energy costs by as much as 15 percent. It also makes energy storage more efficient, with battery storage needs expected to decrease by more than 70 percent.

How Does Space Solar Work?

Scientists examined the NASA design for space-based solar power, which is expected to be operational by 2050. 

The research focused on two main concepts - a “heliostat swarm” design that, if constructed, could deliver nearly continuous power; and a simpler planar array design suitable for early demonstrations, though it provides less consistent energy. This innovative technology involves assembling solar swarms in orbit and transmitting the generated power wirelessly to large receiving stations on Earth.

What’s Next?

To make space solar possible, Europe would need better methods to build and manage solar stations in space and new policies for safety and public acceptance. There are still challenges, like high upfront costs, space debris, and making sure the ground stations are safe and accepted by communities, the study noted.

But experts insist that if these hurdles are cleared, space solar could offer a steady supply of clean energy and make it cheaper for Europe to reach its climate goals. In the list of the truly ambitious but distant ideas for green energy, solar from space is right up there, but it needs to be taken seriously conidering the possibilities it offers.