Space Solar Power Generation: A Viable System Proposal and Technoeconomic Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a distributed space solar power generation and transmission system that converts solar insolation into microwave power and beams it to Earth. This system, composed of a power station of large, close-flying modules residing in geostationary orbit, can form dynamically programmable focal points on Earth to provide dispatchable power on demand. Modules are composed of flexible phased array sheets hosting a self-synchronizing network of integrated circuits and antennas which convert DC power from photovoltaic cells into radiated RF energy. The sheets are coiled into a compact payload, launched, and deployed in orbit. Presented herein is a detailed technoeconomic analysis of the proposed system, with investigations into such areas as mass, cost to produce and launch, and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE). This analysis demonstrates that the proposed 10 GHz system can generate dispatchable power on the ground at 9.1c/kWh---competitive with the cheapest clean energy sources available today.

Keywords: space solar power, flexible phased arrays, wireless power transfer, deployable structures, flexible photovoltaics, grid resilience, energy security, technoeconomic analysis, dispatchable power