tech

April 27, 2026

Space-based solar power is having its moment in the sun

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Space-based solar power is having its moment in the sun

TL;DR

  • Caltech researchers successfully transmitted a small amount of power from a prototype in space to Earth.
  • Space-based solar panels could generate up to eight times more electricity than land-based panels by utilizing unfiltered sunlight continuously.
  • The technology faces engineering challenges in safely transmitting power wirelessly from space to Earth.
  • The Caltech prototype successfully beamed microwaves to receiver arrays and a rooftop lab in Pasadena, California.
  • Governments, including the UK and US, are investing in research for space-based solar power and wireless energy transmission.
  • The concept of space-based solar power dates back to the 1960s but was previously deemed too expensive.
  • Declining launch costs due to the commercial space industry are making the technology more economically viable.
  • Space-based solar power is seen as a complementary solution to Earth-bound renewables to meet climate goals, with a potential timeline for powering homes by 2050.

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