Space Solar co-CEO Martin Soltau. Photo: Space Solar

With increasing demand for energy and the push to transition away from fossil fuels, space-based solar power is one of the solutions that could be part of the global energy future. U.K-based Space Solar is working to develop space-based solar power, with a goal of improving global energy security, and delivering clean, affordable energy.

Martin Soltau, co-CEO of Space Solar, spoke to Via Satellite about the company as well as the potential for space-based solar power. He sees a “pressing need” for new sources of dispatchable, baseload power to meet energy challenges on Earth.

“In space in just a narrow band around the Earth in Geostationary Orbit there is more than 100 times the energy needs of humanity in 2050. Space-based solar power delivers baseload and dispatchable power, it offers export potential beaming wirelessly without expensive fixed interconnector cables, its modularity gives the pathway to scale capacity globally and at a rapid pace,” Soltau says.

While there is a push for cleaner energy generation here on Earth, Soltau believes the build-out requirements for cleaner energy to meet Net Zero are staggering. Structural problems include scaling up mining and processing critical minerals required for wind and solar batteries, scalable storage technologies, along with the investment in grid infrastructure

“Net Zero is an illusion without new clean, capable, and scalable energy technologies. While growth in intermittent renewables is promising, it is an order of magnitude too slow. Storage at the right capacity and cost and comes with major mining and minerals challenges,” Soltau says. “Space-based solar power can scale very quickly and make a huge contribution to Net Zero, commercialized and scaling rapidly by the early 2040s. We are seeing the impacts of climate change every day and need to accelerate the option of solutions like space-based solar power.”

 Last year, the company announced a collaboration with Transition Labs, that announced an agreement to provide Iceland’s Reykjavik Energy with electricity from a space-based solar power plant. Soltau called the agreement with Reykjavik Energy “a major milestone” for the company, setting the framework for the company to work together toward delivery of power from its first 30 MW system. He says that Transition Labs has a proven track record of bringing new clean energy technologies to market, and this agreement will accelerate the delivery of meaningful power from space.

Following delivery of its 30 MW system in 2030, Space Solar plans to scale that out as a satellite constellation, aiming to have a 180 MW system in 2033 and a Gigawatt scale system in 2036. There is a major engineering program underway to meet these milestones, he says.

“Our hyper-modular designs mean that we are able to accelerate development but there is engineering development, launch and in-space assembly evolution, and regulatory developments required on the journey,” he says.

Soltau believes the company’s timelines and cost are favorable compared to other new clean energy solutions. He cites the 30 MW system will cost around $400 million, and future systems up to $2.25 billion, arguing this is one quarter the cost of nuclear power.

The company has largely been grant-funded to date and is raising a $12.5 million seed round. It is engaging in developing international partnerships and private and governmental investment aligned with its financing and development roadmap.

The key next steps for Space Solar are long-distance, ground-to-air power beaming in 18 months, in-space demonstration in three years at kW scale and its first 30 MW commercial system delivering power from space in five years’ time.

Soltau says the company has received interest from a number of energy companies recognizing the need for dispatchable baseload power.

“The fact that space-based solar power is so scalable is also a huge advantage,” he says. “Demonstration of long-distance power beaming in 18 months’ time will see further interest and some early investment. When we move to production of our first system in year four, that will be another likely point for engagement and investment and then clearly once systems are operational.”

Soltau cites projections that if 100 GW of space-based solar power is installed by 2050, it would save 830 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. He sees space-based solar power as a major opportunity to move toward Net Zero and energy security.

“Importantly it will also greatly enhance the security and reliability of our energy systems and reduce the cost, raising the living standards of people particularly in developing nations through equitable access to clean affordable energy,” Soltau says. “We live in times of great change and space-based solar power can be part of the solution for a bright future on Earth.”