Researchers have achieved a milestone by developing and demonstrating the world’s first 360º beam steering technology prototype – making it the world’s first successful space solar farm prototype.
The project aims to power over a million homes by the 2030s, utilising a mile-wide array of mirrors and solar panels orbiting 22,000 miles above Earth.
The prototype was successfully demonstrated on Earth in March 2024 at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), where a wireless beam was effectively “steered” across a lab to turn on a light.
The consortium of researchers has noted that solar panels in space capture 13 times more energy than those on Earth due to higher light intensity and the absence of atmospheric interference, regardless of clouds or nightfall.
Although some energy will be lost during transmission back to Earth and into the electricity grid, output is expected to exceed ground-based solar generation.
Space-based solar power is anticipated to offer baseload power at a cost comparable to intermittent renewables, with the added advantage of continuous power production.
The researchers
The consortium was led by David Homfray, Mike Hontoir, and Anja Frey of Space Solar; Neil Buchanan of QUB; Debbie Fellows of Wave RF; Ian Cash of International Electric Company; and Jaltek, a Luton-based electronics design and manufacturing company.
Chris Day, Jaltek’s technical director, says, “We were involved in the design of the prototype from concept to final delivery and successful demonstration. Our role included consultation from the initial concept, hardware development, PCB layout, PCB fabrication, materials procurement, and PCB assembly.”
David Homfray, Space Solar’s CTO, adds, “I set a very short timeline for the team, and they not only met but exceeded all our expectations. We precisely understand the product with some of the most detailed design work globally.
“This real-world demonstration, coupled with our tools, positions us to deliver in time for net-zero goals and provide energy equity.”
[Image credit: Jaltek and Space Solar]
