A Solar Project That’s Really Out There

The California Public Utilities Commission has approved a space-based renewable-energy contract for Pacific Gas and Electric Co., in an effort to move the state a step closer to meeting its renewable energy goals.

Under the contract approved Thursday, PG&E is entitled to generate electricity from a first-of-its kind space-based solar project through a power purchase agreement with Manhattan Beach-based startup Solaren Corp.

Solaren anticipates generating 1,700 gigawatt-hours of electricity a year through a 15-year contract with PG&E beginning in 2016. First, a ground-based receiving station must be built in Fresno and a satellite launched into space.

An experimental project is unique for the state’s Renewable Energy Standard program. However, the solar project is “consistent with the state’s objective of increasing its reliance on a diverse supply of renewable-energy resources,” the CPUC stated.

Space-based solar power has been researched for several decades in the United States. This summer the Japanese government announced plans to pursue a space-based solar program.

Under the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard program, investor-owned utilities and energy service providers operating in California must get 20 percent of their retail sales from renewable energy sources by 2010. Governor Schwarzenegger signed an executive order September 15 increasing that goal to 33 percent by 2020.