Solaren

Solaren, Inc. is a Southern California startup focused on generating electricity through solar power collected in Earth orbit. Its central concept is a space-based solar-power system in which photovoltaic panels mounted on satellites would capture sunlight above the atmosphere, convert the resulting electricity into radio-frequency energy, and transmit that energy to a receiving station on the ground. The proposed receiving facility was to be located in Fresno County, California, with power then supplied to customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Solaren attracted attention because its proposal was intended to provide continuous power rather than the intermittent output associated with conventional terrestrial solar installations. The company announced plans to deliver approximately 200 megawatts of power, a quantity described as equivalent to the average electricity use of roughly 150,000 homes. If implemented, the project would represent an early commercial application of space-based solar power, a concept with roots in twentieth-century science fiction and later engineering studies. In 2009, Solaren was reported to be negotiating a contract with PG&E for the delivery of 200 megawatts over a minimum term of 15 years, with the original service start targeted for 2016. Reported pricing was slightly above California's projected 2016 energy cost of 12.9 cents per kilowatt-hour. The arrangement was significant because it framed an unproven orbital-energy technology as a potential utility-scale supply project rather than merely a research demonstration. The schedule subsequently slipped. By 2014, the expected delivery date had moved toward the end of the decade. Solaren later announced that the PG&E contract had been forgone. Publicly available reference material does not establish that the proposed satellite system entered commercial operation, nor does it provide enough information to confirm the company's current operating status, ownership, leadership, or ongoing projects. Accordingly, Solaren is best described as a space-based solar-power venture whose principal publicly documented initiative was a proposed California electricity-supply project.

Solaren emerged as a Southern California startup seeking to apply space-based solar power to terrestrial electricity supply. Its concept called for large photovoltaic arrays mounted on satellites in Earth orbit. These arrays would collect sunlight, convert the generated electricity into radio waves, and beam the energy to a ground receiving station in Fresno County, California. The electricity would then be made available to customers served by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The company's proposal was built around the possibility of continuous solar generation. Unlike ground-based solar installations, an orbital system could potentially receive sunlight for longer periods and avoid some of the interruptions caused by darkness, clouds, and atmospheric conditions. Solaren described a target output of approximately 200 megawatts of continuous power, characterized in public descriptions as roughly equivalent to the average consumption of 150,000 homes. The project gained public attention in 2009, when Solaren was reported to be negotiating a supply contract with PG&E. The proposed agreement called for 200 megawatts of electricity over at least 15 years, with deliveries expected to begin in 2016. Reported pricing was slightly higher than California's projected 2016 energy cost of 12.9 cents per kilowatt-hour. The proposed arrangement was notable because it contemplated commercial utility service from a technology that had not yet been deployed at comparable scale. The original schedule was not achieved. By 2014, public descriptions indicated that the expected delivery date had moved toward the end of the decade. Solaren subsequently announced that the PG&E contract had been forgone. The available reference material does not document a completed orbital power station, commercial electricity deliveries, or a replacement utility contract. Solaren's underlying field, space-based solar power, predates the company. The general idea appeared in science fiction and was later developed in engineering literature, including a 1968 proposal by Peter Glaser. Solaren's significance lies in its attempt to connect that concept to a specific utility customer, transmission location, power capacity, and long-term commercial supply arrangement. Public information supplied for this entry is limited, so details about the company's incorporation date, founders, executives, ownership, financing, current operations, and ultimate project disposition remain unconfirmed.

• 2014

  Project schedule delayed

  [1]Solarenen.wikipedia.org

  The planned delivery date for the orbital solar-power project had moved from the original 2016 target toward the end of the decade.

• 2009

  Proposed 200-megawatt PG&E supply arrangement

  [1]Solarenen.wikipedia.org

  Solaren was reported to be negotiating a contract with PG&E to provide 200 megawatts of electricity for at least 15 years, with a proposed start in 2016.

• PG&E contract forgone

  [1]Solarenen.wikipedia.org

  Solaren later announced that its proposed PG&E contract had been forgone.

Solaren positioned itself around utility-scale, continuously available solar electricity generated by orbital photovoltaic satellites and transmitted to Earth. Its proposed approach differentiated the company from conventional terrestrial solar developers by seeking to reduce the effects of nighttime, weather, and atmospheric conditions on solar generation.

• Renewable electricity generation

  Space-based solar-power system

  Solaren's principal publicly described offering was a proposed orbital solar-power system. Solar panels mounted on satellites would collect sunlight in space, convert the energy into radio waves, and transmit it to a receiving station in Fresno County, California. The proposed system was intended to provide approximately 200 megawatts of continuous electricity for utility customers. No source supplied for this entry confirms that the system reached construction, launch, or commercial operation.

• 2009

  Pursuit of a utility-scale orbital solar-power contractStrategy

  Background

  Solaren sought to commercialize space-based solar power by supplying a conventional utility rather than limiting the concept to research or demonstration activity.

  Action taken

  The company negotiated a proposed agreement with PG&E for 200 megawatts of electricity over at least 15 years, with delivery initially targeted for 2016.

  Aftermath

  The schedule was later delayed, and Solaren subsequently announced that the PG&E contract had been forgone.

  Source

1. 1Solarenen.wikipedia.org