ESA picks Thales Alenia Space for feasibility study of SOLARIS project

Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) for a feasibility study of the SOLARIS project. This initiative aims to explore the possibilities of harnessing solar power from space to meet the energy needs of our planet.

Thales Alenia Space, along with its consortium, will attempt to devise an ambitious solution for Europe: capturing solar energy in orbit, where it’s available continuously, irrespective of weather conditions or time of day, and then transmitting it back to Earth. The results of the SOLARIS studies should provide Europe with the necessary insights by 2025 to decide whether to proceed with a development program for the commercialization of space-based solar energy.

The SOLARIS initiative, endorsed at ESA’s Ministerial Council in November 2022, strives to position Europe as a potential global leader in the quest for clean, sustainable energy solutions to mitigate human-induced global warming. This feasibility study led by Thales Alenia Space aims to formulate new concepts for a system to generate solar energy from space, featuring enabling technologies such as high-efficiency space solar panels, wireless power transmission, and automated assembly in orbit.

Space-based solar power: Thales Alenia Space leads feasibility study of SOLARIS project. Photo courtesy of ESA/Andreas Treuer.

The concept of space solar power supplements terrestrial renewable energy sources instead of rivaling them, as solar power from space is available around the clock, ensuring electrical supply continuity without the need for extensive storage systems.

The European consortium overseeing these studies encompasses a diverse range of expertise, including orbital systems (Thales Alenia Space), aviation (Dassault Aviation), strategic consulting (Arthur D. Little), and most importantly, energy (Engie, ENEL, Air Liquide), reflecting the project’s considerable potential for the global energy industry.

Patrice Caine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thales, stated: “The SOLARIS initiative embodies our commitment to developing advanced technologies and solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future. We’re eager to undertake this feasibility study and, alongside our consortium partners, explore how space-based solar energy could become a viable clean energy source for Earth.”