How Reflect Orbital’s 'sunlight at night' can affect the environment?

California-based startup Reflect Orbital has unveiled its plan to "sell sunlight" on demand, even after sunset. The company aims to redirect sunlight onto solar panels on Earth's surface during nighttime hours, potentially transforming solar energy use. However, this concept has raised concerns about its environmental impact.

CEO Ben Nowack presented Reflect Orbital's vision at the International Conference on Energy from Space in London, showcasing a technology to extend solar farms' productivity beyond daylight hours. The company's website allows visitors to "reserve a spot of light," with delivery projected for "Q4 2025."

Satellites reflect sunlight

Nowack shared a video on social media X, showing how users could control this technology. "By reflecting sunlight from space to specific ground targets, we can create a world where sunlight powers solar farms longer and commoditize sunlight," Nowack explained.

New things to play with on the website! pic.twitter.com/NJcOjFSblf

— Ben Nowack (@bennbuilds) August 22, 2024

The startup's plans extend beyond individual light spots. Reflect Orbital is developing "a constellation of satellites to sell sunlight to thousands of solar farms after dark." This could significantly boost global solar energy production capacity and efficiency.

Reflect Orbital's proposal has sparked debates about its potential environmental consequences. Critics raise concerns about light pollution and disruption of natural day-night cycles, affecting ecosystems and wildlife.

Space-based solar power isn't new. As the article notes, "The original concept of solar power from space was dreamt up in 1968 by Peter Glaser, a US engineer at Arthur D Little." Since then, various iterations and improvements have proposed, grappling with technical and economic challenges.

Sharing a bit more about Reflect Orbital today. @4TristanS and I are developing a constellation of revolutionary satellites to sell sunlight to thousands of solar farms after dark.

We think sunlight is the new oil and space is ready to support energy infrastructure. This… pic.twitter.com/5WRb8etAv0

— Ben Nowack (@bennbuilds) March 13, 2024

Extended daylight disrupts natural cycles

A primary environmental concern is the potential disruption to Earth’s flora and fauna. Natural light cycles are crucial for biological processes, from plant photosynthesis to animal behavior. Artificially extending daylight hours could have unforeseen consequences on these ecological balances.

Light pollution could disrupt wildlife and human activity, as bright satellite reflections may interfere with natural circadian rhythms. The reflectors’ brightness could impact astronomical observations and nighttime ecosystems, leading to misaligned wildlife behavior and human discomfort.

The introduction of nighttime artificial light may contribute to light pollution, altering nocturnal species’ behavior. Species relying on natural light cues for navigation and foraging could be disoriented, leading to lower survival rates and biodiversity loss. Moreover, the potential for these satellites to cast bright light over large areas could have unintended consequences for urban environments, impacting residents’ sleep patterns and well-being.

The introduction of more light sources in our night skies raises questions about astronomical observation and our connection to the natural world. As we grapple with urban light pollution, orbiting mirrors reflecting sunlight could further obscure our view of the stars and impact nocturnal wildlife.

Continuous clean power, despite worries

Despite concerns, proponents of space-based solar power argue it could play a vital role in our transition to clean energy. Chris Rodenbeck from the US Naval Research Laboratory states it's "the only form of green, renewable energy that can provide continuous, baseline electrical power."

Reflect Orbital's engineering team is reportedly developing mechanisms to minimize light pollution effects. This includes targeting the reflected sunlight to specific areas, potentially limiting light spillage. Collaboration with environmental scientists will be essential in developing a strategy to assess and mitigate these impacts before full-scale deployment.

The economic viability of such a system is also a consideration. A UK government report suggested a space-based solar power system could generate energy at £50 per MWh over its 100-year lifetime, which is "39–49% cheaper than biomass, nuclear, or the most efficient gas sources."