Advances in space technologies and a growing capability to build and launch reliable satellites means it is now possible to build a solar farm based in Earth’s orbit, PACE Today reports.
NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) Space & Defence envoy Dr Paul Scully-Power said a solar farm in space would be capable of harnessing the sun’s energy and transmitting it to Earth around the clock.
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“The energy can be transmitted down to any location on Earth, Scully-Power said.
“So, for countries like Australia with rural communities, you can beam the energy directly to that community.”
Comprising a series of connected satellites, the orbit-based solar farm could absorb solar energy and transmit it to Earth in microwave form.
While the initial concept of building space-deployed solar farms was conceived in the late 1960s, only recently has it been considered a viable endeavour.
“The rise in emissions has pushed energy prices higher than ever, which allows space-based solar to be supplied to the market with competitive prices,” Dr Scully-Power said.
“Advances in space technologies have a crucial role to play as well. For instance, it is much cheaper to build satellites and launch them into space nowadays than it was 10 years ago.
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“We have a company in Australia that’s working hand in glove with a company in America and they’ve already developed a design for a solar-based power system.
“We need the best possible energy advantage to rebuild our manufacturing and grow Australia’s might in the space industry. Space solar power gives us continuity of supply for almost 100 per cent of the time—and it is infinitely cheaper than anything that we’re using now.”
