California-based startup Reflect Orbital plans to launch a constellation of space mirrors into orbit to beam sunlight to solar farms, boosting electricity production after dark.
Reflect Orbital CEO and co-founder Ben Nowack outlined the company's plans at the International Conference on Space Energy in late April, according to Space. A prototype of Reflect Orbital's sunlight-reflecting satellite could launch as early as next year.
Satellite Constellation
Reflect Orbital envisions a constellation of 57 small satellites orbiting Earth in a sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of 600 kilometers. In this orbit, the satellites would circle the Earth from pole to pole, passing over each location on Earth at the same time of day twice within a 24-hour period. The combined fleet of 57 satellites would provide an additional 30 minutes of sunlight to power plants when they need it most, according to Nowack.
Solar Power Potential
The cost of solar panels has dropped by 90% over the past 15 years, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, and their efficiency continues to improve due to advances in photovoltaic technology. As a result, solar power is now the cheapest form of electricity available to mankind, according to Carbon Brief.
However, the intermittent nature of solar power generation is a challenge that researchers continue to grapple with. On cloudy days, solar farms produce less electricity than on clear days, and at night, solar power generation ceases altogether. Battery storage systems and other forms of renewable energy can help fill the gaps, but so far, nuclear and fossil fuel power plants have been the primary backup options.
Reflect Orbital's Satellite
Each of Reflect Orbital's satellites will weigh 35 pounds and carry a 32-foot by 32-foot mylar sail that will be deployed in orbit. Mylar is a plastic material used in space blankets and packaging. The sails will be designed to focus light into a narrow beam that can be steered and directed based on the needs of solar farm operators.
Last year, Reflect Orbital tested its sail design on a high-altitude balloon that floated at an altitude of 3 kilometers above a solar farm. They were able to generate 500 watts of power per square meter of solar panels. The company has raised enough investment capital to launch its first test satellite into space in 2025.
Summary
Reflect Orbital's satellite constellation has the potential to revolutionize the solar power industry by providing a reliable and cost-effective way to generate electricity 24 hours a day. If successful, the technology could accelerate the transition to a clean energy future and reduce humanity's reliance on fossil fuels.