Overview Energy, a newly revealed startup, has announced an ambitious plan to utilize a network of satellites in geosynchronous orbit to collect sunlight and transmit it to solar farms on Earth using infrared lasers. This innovative approach aims to enable existing solar farms to receive power almost continuously, even during nighttime, enhancing their efficiency and contribution to the grid.
The startup has secured $20 million in funding, part of which was used for a successful airborne demonstration showcasing the technology’s potential. During the test, a light aircraft transmitted power via a laser to a ground receiver over a distance of 5 kilometers.
Overview Energy’s initiative signals a shift towards space-based power generation, which was once considered science fiction but is now becoming a tangible reality. Despite the progress, challenges remain, including the cost-effectiveness of deploying solar panels in space compared to on Earth and the nascent stage of wireless power transmission from orbit to the planet’s surface.
Notably, other companies like Aetherflux, Emrod, and Orbital Composites/Virtus Solis are also exploring similar concepts, utilizing laser or microwave-based approaches for wireless energy transmission.
Source: TechCrunch
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