Space-Based Solar Arrays Market Report 2025

The space-based solar arrays market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $2.94 billion in 2024 to $3.31 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to increasing energy demands for space missions, military and strategic interests, advancements in solar cell efficiency and materials, growing concerns about fossil fuels and climate change, and developments related to the International Space Station (ISS) and large space structures.

The space-based solar arrays market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.25 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%. The growth during the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for satellite power systems, rising government and defense investments in space infrastructure, expansion of private-sector space launches and mega-constellations, the potential for renewable energy and off-planet power generation, and improvements in launch economics and system performance. Key trends in the forecast period include the development of CIGS thin-film solar modules, integrated power and propulsion systems, advancements in solar energy conversion, smart self-deploying array systems, and the use of 3D printing and in-space manufacturing for solar arrays.

The growth of the space-based solar arrays market is expected to be driven by the rising demand for sustainable energy solutions. Sustainable energy solutions refer to systems and technologies that fulfill current energy needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. This growing demand is fueled by increasing public awareness of climate change, encouraging both consumers and businesses to shift toward cleaner, renewable energy sources. Space-based solar arrays contribute to sustainable energy by capturing abundant solar power in space, where sunlight is constant and more intense than on Earth, and then wirelessly transmitting that energy to ground stations for clean electricity use. For example, in June 2025, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that regional solar electricity generation in the U.S. reached 217.3 billion kilowatt-hours in 2024 and is expected to rise to 350.4 billion kilowatt-hours by 2026. Thus, demand for sustainable energy is fueling the space-based solar arrays market.

Companies in the space-based solar arrays market are focusing on technological progress, including space-based solar power (SBSP) transmission simulation tests, to improve clean energy generation by wirelessly transmitting solar energy from space to Earth. SBSP transmission simulation tests involve controlled experiments replicating the process of collecting solar energy in space and transmitting it using microwave or laser beams to Earth-based receivers. For instance, in June 2022, Xidian University in China developed and tested a ground-based system for space-to-Earth solar power transmission, aiming to launch a full-scale space-based solar power plant by 2028 under the OMEGA project. This test, validated by external experts, represented a significant breakthrough in technologies like light concentration, microwave transmission, and beam control, moving closer to deploying space-based solar energy by 2030.

In February 2025, Pixxel Space Technologies Pvt. Ltd., an Indian space data company, partnered with DHV Technology to equip Pixxel’s Firefly hyperspectral satellites with advanced solar panels, enhancing high-resolution Earth observation capabilities for environmental and resource monitoring. The partnership focused on developing custom solar panel solutions tailored to Pixxel’s satellite needs, emphasizing long-term reliability, precision engineering, and timely delivery to support Earth observation missions. DHV Technology is a Spain-based aerospace firm specializing in space-based solar arrays.

Major players in the space-based solar arrays market are The Boeing Company, Airbus SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Thales Alenia Space SAS, OHB SE, Rocket Lab USA Inc., Spectrolab Inc., GomSpace A/S, NanoAvionics LLC, SolAero Technologies Corp., Innovative Solutions In Space B.V. (ISISPACE), DHV Technology S.L., Pumpkin Inc., MMA Design LLC, Virtus Solis, ARTEMIS Innovation Management Solutions LLC, Orbital Composites Inc., 3K SpaceTech Pvt Ltd., Aetherflux Inc., and lvior Technologies Inc.

North America was the largest region in the space-based solar arrays market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in space-based solar arrays report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the space-based solar arrays market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

Space-based solar arrays are solar power generation systems situated in space - typically in Earth orbit - that capture solar energy and transmit it wirelessly to Earth for electricity use. These arrays consist of orbiting satellites fitted with solar panels that harness uninterrupted solar energy and send it wirelessly, usually through microwave or laser beams, to ground-based receiving stations where the energy is converted into usable electricity.

The key components of space-based solar arrays include solar panels, power transmission systems, energy storage units, and others. Solar panels, made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, act as the main energy-harvesting elements by converting sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. These arrays can be positioned in various orbits such as low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), geostationary orbit (GEO), and more. Their applications span commercial, defense, and other sectors, and they are employed by governments, private companies, and other entities.

The space-based solar arrays market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides space-based solar arrays market statistics, including the space-based solar arrays industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with the space-based solar arrays market share, detailed space-based solar arrays market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the space-based solar arrays market. This space-based solar arrays market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The space-based solar arrays market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as continuous power supply, remote area electrification, grid stabilization and backup power, military and defense support, and space missions power supply. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The space-based solar arrays market also includes sales of wireless transmitted electricity, high-efficiency solar modules, microwave power transmission systems, ground-based rectennas (receiving antennas), and space power satellites (SPS). Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.