Wireless solar power: A futuristic application of solar energy with potential global impact

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• April 14, 2022

Insight summary

Harnessing solar energy from space through the Space Solar Power Project (SSPP) could redefine the way we access and utilize energy, offering a more reliable and cleaner alternative to traditional sources. The project's success could lead to a significant decline in energy costs, decentralized energy systems, and the acceleration of global decarbonization, along with the creation of a new space energy industry. However, the journey towards space-based solar energy also presents challenges, including substantial initial investments, technical and regulatory hurdles, and potential geopolitical tensions.

Wireless solar power context

The project driving the development of wireless solar power and headed by CALTECH is called the Space Solar Power Project (SSPP). The project's goal is to transmit energy to Earth through microwaves wirelessly. This solar energy will then be harvested on a large scale from space using energy-transmitting satellites laden with solar panels. The satellites would collect solar power by using giant mirrors to radiate solar waves onto an array of solar collectors that are considerably smaller than the mirrors. The project's ultimate goal is to overcome the limitations of Earth-based solar power facilities and eliminate the need for power storage. 

In the near term, the most significant challenge facing project researchers is limiting the loss of energy from space as it is transmitted to the Earth's surface. Fortunately, progress is being made. Based on the current project roadmap, the initiative is expected to reach the launch phase in the first quarter of 2023, with CALTECH receiving USD $100 million in August 2021 for the SSPP. 

This milestone will involve launching demonstrator prototypes into Earth’s orbit. These prototypes represent multifunctional technology that will convert sunlight into electrical energy and then transmit said energy wirelessly into free space using radiofrequency and microstructures for distribution.  (Of note, the Chinese government is also funding a similar research initiative through Chongqing University’s School of Microelectronics.)

Disruptive impact

Unlike traditional solar energy produced on Earth, which can be affected by weather and daylight conditions, space-based solar energy could offer a more reliable source. This feature could allow solar energy to act as a baseload power option, taking a role typically filled by nuclear or fossil fuels like coal and gas. The shift towards space-based solar energy could reshape the energy industry, providing a cleaner and more dependable energy source.

The SSPP project, if successful and implemented on a large scale by the 2050s, could lead to a significant decline in the price of energy. The primary cost would be in building the infrastructure and manufacturing the satellites needed to transmit solar energy from space, but once established, the ease of access to this abundant energy source may drive costs down. For individuals, this could mean more affordable energy bills, while companies could benefit from reduced operational costs. 

However, the initial investment in infrastructure and technology could be substantial, and there may be technical and regulatory hurdles to overcome. For governments, this means creating policies that encourage investment and development in this area, while ensuring safety and environmental considerations are met. Educational institutions may need to adapt curricula to prepare the next generation of engineers and scientists for this new frontier in energy production. 

Implications of wireless solar power

Wider implications of wireless solar power may include: 

• Developing countries benefitting from an uninterrupted supply of energy to wean their economies off carbon-based forms of energy, leading to a cleaner and more self-sufficient energy landscape.


• Increasingly decentralized energy systems as remote communities and towns can source energy from space instead of requiring extensive transmission lines built to connect them to national grids, fostering local autonomy and reducing infrastructure costs.


• Accelerating the speed of global decarbonization as more solar energy can be provided more readily and on a reliable basis, contributing to a significant reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.


• The development of a new space energy industry and novel careers to support this industry, creating job opportunities and stimulating economic growth in sectors related to space technology and renewable energy.


• Governments creating policies to regulate space-based solar energy, leading to new legal frameworks that balance environmental protection, safety, and commercial interests.


• The potential reduction in energy poverty as space-based solar energy becomes more accessible and affordable, leading to improved living standards and economic opportunities in underserved regions.


• A change in urban planning and architectural design to accommodate space-based solar energy systems, leading to new building standards and community layouts that optimize energy efficiency.


• The emergence of educational programs focused on space-based solar energy, leading to a new generation of professionals trained in this specialized field and enhancing technological advancement.


• Potential geopolitical tensions arising from the control and access to space-based solar energy, leading to new international agreements and collaborations to ensure equitable distribution and prevent conflicts.

Questions to consider

• What maintenance challenges are presented by solar energy facilities based in space compared to those built on Earth? 


• Is wireless solar power better than already existing sources of power, and what are its potential drawbacks? 


• Is space-based solar energy generation more economical compared to land-based energy generation options?