British startup Space Solar has made a major stride toward delivering clean, continuous energy from space. The company has successfully tested a wireless power-beaming system, marking a significant step in the global transition to reliable renewable energy. By transmitting solar energy from orbit to Earth, this innovation could overcome many of the limitations of current clean energy sources, such as reliance on weather and daylight.
Cassidi Project Validates Core Technologies
Central to this achievement is the Cassidi project, an 18-month programme backed by £1.8 million in funding from the UK Space Agency and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Through this initiative, Space Solar carried out a detailed technical assessment of its space-based power system. The result: a comprehensive 1,700-page design document outlining the blueprint for the company’s satellite system, Cassiopeia.
The Cassidi project evaluated multiple components, including wireless energy transmission, orbital assembly processes, and the infrastructure needed on the ground to receive energy. It also featured a successful trial of the Harrier demonstrator, a prototype that confirmed the feasibility of the core technology.
Space Solar Innovative Design with Pre-Fabricated Solar Reflectors
What sets Space Solar’s approach apart is its use of pre-fabricated solar reflectors. These enable the system to electronically steer the energy beam in any direction, eliminating the need for mechanical parts. This design is expected to reduce long-term maintenance costs and boost overall efficiency.
The satellite system will use thousands of lightweight photovoltaic panels to collect solar energy in orbit. That energy is then transmitted to Earth using high-frequency radio waves. The company says the beam is safe, low-intensity, and capable of functioning in all weather conditions with minimal energy loss.
Commercial Deployment Within Five Years
With input from 22 partner organisations, the Cassidi project has confirmed both the technical and economic viability of Space Solar’s concept. The company is now working toward deploying a megawatt-scale commercial system within five years, with long-term plans for systems ranging from 30 megawatts to full gigawatt capacity over the next 12 years.
Space Solar’s system offers a way to deliver power around the clock, independent of climate and time of day, a potentially transformative contribution to the world’s renewable energy mix. This technology could significantly reshape how energy is generated and distributed worldwide if scaled successfully.
Required fields are marked *