Beaming 24/7 solar from space | Catalyst with Shayle Kann

Cost Dynamics

The economic viability of space-based solar power hinges on significant reductions in launch and hardware costs. Sanjay Vijendran highlights the transformative impact of reusable rockets, like those developed by SpaceX, which have drastically lowered launch expenses 1. This reduction, combined with advancements in mass production techniques for space hardware, has brought costs down from hundreds of thousands to around $1,000 per kilogram 2.

We're talking a few orders of magnitude reduction in launch costs. And the economics, the cost benefit studies for space based solar power. Have shown in the past. That once you get to cost below $1,000 or €1000 per kilo to low Earth orbit. Then you're getting into the ballpark where this could be economically viable.

--- Sanjay Vijendran

These developments suggest a promising path towards making space-based solar power economically feasible within the next decade.

   

Investment & Market

Investment in space-based solar power is gaining momentum, with both national agencies and private companies making strides in this field. Sanjay Vijendran notes that countries like Japan and China are planning significant demonstrations, while private entities like Caltech are already conducting technology experiments in orbit 3. The potential for space-based solar power to provide consistent, 24/7 energy anywhere on Earth is driving interest and funding, comparable to nuclear fusion projects 4.

Space based solar power has all of the benefits of fusion, and some because it can move power from one place to another place that is underneath the satellite, essentially instantly, over vast geographic regions without any loss.

--- Sanjay Vijendran

This growing interest could lead to the deployment of commercial-scale systems by the late 2030s, contributing significantly to the global energy transition.