“Sunlight on Demand”: A new technology to bring Sunlight at night

Imagine being able to use sunlight even during the night. This idea, which sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, is set to become a reality with a new project from California-based startup. Their groundbreaking technology could allow sunlight to be used 24/7,  transforming the way we use solar energy.

Reflect Orbital claims that it is working on a technology that will capture sunlight from space and send it to any location on Earth, even at night. This means solar panels at home, factory, or at farms can be charged regardless of the time of day.

How It Works

The company aims to launch satellites into space equipped with large reflective mirrors. These mirrors, located about 600 kilometers above Earth, will capture sunlight and reflect it to specific areas on the planet, even at night. This reflected light could be used to charge solar panels or provide illumination wherever needed.

The satellites will also light up areas on demand, making nighttime activities easier and more convenient.

The Technology

The project, named “Sunlight on Demand,” involves launching 57 small satellites, each equipped with a 33-square-foot Mylar mirror. These mirrors are designed to be ultra-reflective, allowing them to efficiently redirect sunlight to Earth. 

A successful test has already conducted by mounting an 8-by-8-foot Mylar mirror on a hot air balloon and reflecting sunlight to Earth from a few hundred meters high. The next step is to scale this up to the planned 600 kilometers.

Potential Impact 

If successful, this technology could provide unlimited energy to the world, solving many of the problems associated with the current reliance on daytime solar power. 

For example, vehicles with solar panels could run continuously, and buildings could be powered 24/7. 

Challenges and Criticism

Despite the potential benefits, the project has faced criticism. They are—

Health Issues: Continuous nighttime illumination could disrupt sleep patterns and lead to health problems.

Environmental Impact: Increased light pollution could harm nocturnal animals and affect the fertility of the land.

Nature: Advertisements in the night sky could detract from the natural beauty of the Earth.

Scientific Disruption: Ongoing scientific experiments that rely on darkness could be disturbed.

The idea is not entirely new, Russia attempted a similar project in 1992 with the Znamya 2 mission, which involved launching a mirror into orbit to reflect sunlight to Earth. However, due to the high costs at the time, the experiment was not continued.

If “Sunlight on Demand” works as planned, it could revolutionize energy consumption and advertising, but it also raises important questions about the impact on our environment and health.