A new player in the renewable energy sector, TerraSpark, has secured a significant €5 million in pre-seed funding to propel its vision of harvesting solar power directly from space. The Luxembourg-based startup is pioneering space-based solar power (SBSP), a technology aimed at providing constant, clean energy to Earth, bypassing the limitations of terrestrial solar generation.
The concept of SBSP addresses a fundamental challenge for solar energy: intermittency. Unlike ground-based panels, which are subject to weather conditions and the day-night cycle, TerraSpark’s system involves large solar arrays in orbit. These satellites can capture sunlight 24/7, generating a continuous stream of electricity. According to research, this energy is then converted and beamed wirelessly to Earth via microwaves or lasers, where specialized receiving stations called rectennas convert it back into usable electricity for the grid, offering a reliable source of baseload power.
This ambitious endeavor, founded by Jasper Deprez and Dr. Sanjay Vijendran, has attracted a strong consortium of investors, including Daphni, Sake Bosch, better ventures, Hans(wo)men Group, the Luxembourg Business Angel Network, and the Karaque Club. The successful funding round highlights growing investor confidence in frontier technologies that can address global energy needs. Tina Dreimann of better ventures praised the startup’s unique strengths, stating, “TerraSpark combines European space expertise with the experience to truly scale technology. This mix of technical depth and implementation power is exactly what Europe needs for resilient energy infrastructure.”
With the new injection of capital, the company plans to accelerate its development roadmap. The €5 million will be used to refine core technologies, initiate Earth-based pilot programs, and conduct live tests to validate the power transmission system. A key milestone in their plan is the development and launch of an orbital demonstrator satellite by 2027, which will serve as a crucial proof-of-concept for space-to-Earth power beaming.
Initially, TerraSpark will focus on providing power to remote and hard-to-reach locations that currently depend on expensive or carbon-intensive energy sources. Potential applications include islands, offshore platforms, mining operations, and desalination plants, where a consistent and clean power supply can make a significant operational and environmental impact. This funding marks a critical step for TerraSpark as it aims to turn a revolutionary energy concept into a terrestrial reality.
Sources for Impressive Space-based solar power: €5M Boost for TerraSpark
- TerraSpark Secures €5M Pre-Seed Funding for Space-Based Solar Power
- TerraSpark Funding Announcement Details
