For decades, the very idea of space-based solar power (SBSP) has teetered at the edge of possibility. But today, small-scale orbital demonstrations – such as Caltetch’s 2023 MAPLE experiment that successfully beamed microwatts from low-Earth orbit to a rooftop receiver– have proven the core physics of what is now possible.
There now is a surge of pilot projects which now target multi-megawatt links to high-latitude grids, including a major European programme with an in-orbit demo planned for Iceland by 2030, making it the first country to commercially receive solar power from space.
These efforts cast the Arctic as a potential first mover: if continuous power from orbit can work anywhere, it is where winter darkness and imported fuel still dominate energy bills.
By grounding the debate in readiness, cost and sustainability, this webinar will ask a blunt question: Can power from orbit meaningfully accelerate the Arctic energy transition, or will proven terrestrial renewables continue to dominate? Join engineers, energy modellers, community leaders and sustainability researchers for an evidence‑based exploration—and help decide whether SBSP deserves a place on the northern decarbonisation roadmap.
