The sun never sets in space. It is this simple truth that is driving research to new frontiers in solar energy. While on Earth solar panels have to deal with night and weather conditions, At 36.000 km altitude, sunlight is always available. Iceland knows it well, and is preparing to become the first country in the world to receive energy from the orbital solar system.
An ambitious partnership
La Space Solar, a British company, has joined forces with Reykjavik Energy and the Icelandic initiative Transition Labs to develop something extraordinary: a space solar power plant. The goal is to provide 30 megawatts of electricity, enough to power between 1.500 and 3.000 homes, starting in 2030.
As he pointed out Kjartan Orn Olafsson, CEO of Transition Labs, this partnership marks “a key milestone in Space Solar’s journey toward large-scale deployment.”
How Orbital Solar Works
The system is as simple in concept as it is complex in execution. Solar panels in space capture sunlight and convert it into radio waves at a specific frequency. These waves are then transmitted to a ground station, where they are converted back into usable electricity for the grid.
The structure will be impressive: the satellite will become the heaviest object in space after space stations. With all its panels deployed, the system CASSIOPeia It will even surpass the International Space Station in size.
The technological challenges
So far, energy transmission from orbit has reached much lower powers. Demonstrations of the Caltech of the last years he proved that the technology works, but at the moment It transmitted only a few milliwatts of power to Earth. The Icelandic project will have to be able to convey billions of times more energy.
The system cannot be weaponized: at most, the beam is less than a quarter of the power the Sun provides at midday.
It makes me smile like the Space Solar I had to specify this detail in his FAQ, anticipating the most imaginative concerns. But… Will it be like this forever?
Future perspectives
The ambition, returning to the news, does not stop here. Martin Soltau, co-CEO of Space Solar, announced that by 2036 they are aiming for an enhanced version of the system, capable of supplying gigawatts of electricity. Orbital solar, he says, will offer unprecedented advantages, with competitive energy costs and 24-hour availability.
The project fits perfectly into Iceland’s energy strategy, which is already at the forefront of renewable energy. The partnership with Reykjavik Energy, which has experience in carbon storage through Carbfix and a long-standing collaboration with Climeworks, could be key to success.
Orbital Solar, Energy Breakthrough Falling From The Sky (Literally)
If this project is successful, it could mark the beginning of a new era in renewable energy. The idea of collecting solar energy directly from space, where it is available constantly and without interruption, could solve one of the major limitations of terrestrial solar energy.
The unknowns (it must be said) are still numerous, but the potential is enormous. Iceland, once again, proves to be a perfect laboratory for the energy technologies of the future. And perhaps, in a few years, looking at the night sky we will be able to know that up there, beyond the clouds, there is a gigantic solar panel that works tirelessly to provide us with clean energy.
