The idea of selling sunlight at night seems outlandish at first glance. It is almost like a punchline to a joke. California-based startup Reflect Orbital is serious about it. It is turning the absurd notion into reality. The company is led by CEO Ben Novack and he is ambitious about the idea. The company is set to launch a constellation of satellites and each will be equipped with reflective mirrors to make sunlight bounce back to Earth even after the sunset.
The plan is simple. Reflect Orbital wants to send up 57 satellites and each is to be outfitted with a 33-square-foot mylar mirror. The mirror material is same that is used in space blankets and greenhouse walls. The satellites will orbit the Earth at 370 miles and redirect sunlight to specific locations. It will add up to 30 minutes of extra daylight. It theoretically sounds like an exciting breakthrough for solar energy that shuts down with the sunset.
Novack and his team have already demonstrated proof of concept with a smaller mirror mounted on a hot air balloon. The experiment generated an additional 500 watts of energy per square meter for solar panels. The target market is where sunlight could provide an important source of energy during night hours.
Satellites, space debris, atmospheric conditions and precise orbit calculations are just some of the many technical challenges. The potential side effects are disrupting ecosystems or sleep cycles with unexpected bursts of light at night.
But why we need such a technology? Is it the most effective solution to our energy needs? These are some of the questions being faced by Reflect Orbital. Simultaneously, the approach is attracting interest and 30,000 applicants have booking their extra minutes of sunlight.
Selling sunshine at night is a futuristic concept. It is bold and innovative. It is yet to witness whether larger problems of nighttime energy demand can be solved.
