The United Kingdom: Studies, Competitions and Space Solar
How has the UK approached space-based solar power, and how far has its leading company progressed?
Chapter summary
the UK commissioned an independent study by Frazer-Nash in 2020, which concluded that SBSP was technically and economically viable and modelled costs reported at roughly $48–60 per MWh for the CASSIOPeiA design.
Key takeaways
- 1
The government then ran an SBSP Innovation Competition worth up to £3 million plus a possible further £3 million, funding nine projects on wireless power, high-concentration solar, systems engineering and mission design.
- 2
Space Solar, the company developing CASSIOPeiA, completed a government-funded design study (CASSiDi) in 2025, signed a letter of intent with Reykjavik Energy for 30 MW by 2030 and plans an in-space demonstration by 2028.
- 3
Funding so far is a few million dollars, small relative to the programme's ambitions.
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