LogInReflect Orbital would use satellites to reflect light at any time.
What if sunlight was available 24/7? The Reflect Orbital startup is set to make it a reality by developing "a constellation of revolutionary satellites to sell sunlight to thousands of solar farms after dark."
The team wants to set up the satellites so they circle the planet and reflect the light. As reported by Space, they would "fly over each spot on Earth at the same time of the day, making two passes per 24 hours. Combined, the 57 satellites would provide an additional 30 minutes of sunshine to the power plants."
The satellites will weigh 35 pounds (16 kilograms) and will be fitted with mylar (a material used in space blankets, insulators, and packaging) mirrors 33 feet by 33 feet (9.9 by 9.9 meters).
"We want to make it as easy as possible — like, log into a website, tell us your GPS coordinates and we get you some sunlight after dark," said Ben Nowack, the founder and CEO of Reflect Orbital.
Reflect Orbital
There are no satellites launched yet, but the team tested the mirror on a hot air balloon flying above a solar farm. It generated 500 watts of energy per square meter of a solar panel, which is around "half the brightness of the sun," according to Nowack.
Reflect Orbital has also demonstrated how it would work with its app: you just find yourself on the map, and the light finds you.
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