Study: Space Solar Could Cut Europe's Energy Costs by 15%

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13 hrs ago

Above: Solar panels are pictured near the village of Amareleja in Alentejo, Portugal, on Aug. 5, 2025. Image copyright: Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP/Getty Images

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The Spin

Techno-optimist narrative

Space-based solar represents a game-changing breakthrough that could revolutionize Europe's energy future. The technology offers continuous power generation unaffected by weather, natural disasters, or day-night cycles. With a potential 80% reduction in terrestrial renewable needs and 15% cost savings, this innovation could accelerate net-zero goals while providing reliable baseload power.

Technology Networks Science

Techno-skeptic narrative

Space-based solar energy remains prohibitively expensive, with costs currently 12 orders of magnitude above break-even points needed for viability. The technology faces massive technological hurdles — including wireless power transmission, orbital assembly, space debris risks and the cost of launching and maintaining these systems. Space solar is still a distant dream, and it's not yet economically sound.

The Spacereview