Arthur D. Little (ADL) has announced the completion of a ground-breaking study into the production of clean energy from space via Direct Sun Reflection (DSR).

A video explaining the importance of this study can be viewed here:

ADL has produced this study as part of the European Space Agency’s SOLARIS initiative, which is investigating the technological and commercial feasibility of Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP). ADL leads a SOLARIS consortium composed of ENGIE, Air Liquide, Thales France and Dassault Aviation.

DSR is a way of producing clean energy from space via a constellation of orbiting mirrors that can accurately reflect sunlight back to earth. By focusing this sunlight on pre-existing solar farms, DSR can effectively add an additional two hours of bright sunshine a day. This means that solar farms could receive up to 60% more energy a year without any additional infrastructure cost.

The study proposes that 4,000 mirrors directing sunlight on approximately 30 solar farms could not only produce 40 times more energy than required for their deployment and operation over 30 years, but also save 8,500 megatons of CO2. As well as boosting the production of both green electricity and green hydrogen, DSR would also make the process much more cost-effective.

Arnaud Siraudin, Head of ADL’s Technology & Innovation practice in France, says, “DSR offers best in class optimization compared to other energy production methods – every Euro spent on the DSR system will generate three times its worth in energy. DSR also addresses the pressing need for sustainable energy solutions that can pave the way towards a greener and more resilient future, and aligns with Europe's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”

The ADL-led study proposes that the first proof-of-concept mirror could be launched into orbit in 2025, commercially viable operations at a reduced scale could begin in 2033, and a full-scale DSR architecture could be fully operational by 2043.

ADL has been at the cutting edge of SBSP throughout its history, and it was ADL scientist Peter Glaser who first proposed (in 1968) and then patented (in 1973) the idea of orbiting solar power stations that could convert sunlight into microwave energy and transmit it to earth.

The DSR study can be accessed here: https://nebula.esa.int/content/pre-phase-system-study-commercial-scale-space-based-solar-power-sbsp-system-terrestrial