Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Space-based solar energy refers to the concept of capturing solar power in space and transmitting it to Earth for use as a renewable source of electricity. The idea involves placing large solar power systems, often referred to as solar power satellites or space solar power stations, in geostationary orbit or other high-altitude orbits around the Earth.
The UK may lead the way in harnessing solar energy from space with major government investments.
This is due to a space-based solar power industry that is setting itself up as a result of multi-million government investment to form advanced technology.
In a speech delivered at London Tech Week today, Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps will inform the prominent UK universities and technology companies that will obtain a share of £4.3 million in government funds to take innovation to the next level.
Spaced-based solar power gathers energy from the Sun with the application of panels on satellites which beams it safely back towards the earth utilizing wireless technology.
The technology that is in the early days of development can give the UK great possibilities of enhancing energy security, bringing down fossil fuel requirements, and lower household bills by making available solar power throughout the year, as the Sun has visibility of more than 99 percent of the time.
An independent study from 2021, had discovered that space-based solar power may produce up to 10GW of electricity annually, which is a quarter of the UK’s power requirements, by 2050. It could produce a multi-billion-pound industry, with 143,000 jobs all over the UK. This will back a key component of the PM’s priorities to take the economy further.
Dr Mamatha Maheshwarappa, Payload Systems Lead from the UK Space Agency, says “Space technology and solar energy have a long history – the need to power satellites was a key driver in increasing the efficiency of solar panels which generate electricity for homes and businesses today.”
