The prototype, which includes a system called CASSIOPeiA that allows the solar panels to rotate towards the sun while sending power to a fixed receiver on Earth, has successfully demonstrated wireless beam steering at Queen's University Belfast.

The realization of this project would require over 60 rocket flights and a team of robot builders, but it brings space-based solar power one step closer to reality.

Martin Soltau, the founder of an unspecified company, spoke to Sky News about a groundbreaking development: space-based solar energy.

Solar panels in space can capture 13 times more energy than on Earth due to higher light intensity and the absence of atmosphere, clouds, or night.

Although some energy would be lost during transmission back to Earth, the constant power generation makes it an attractive alternative to nuclear energy and gas turbines as a "baseload" for the grid, providing consistent power to back up renewable energy sources.

Mr. Soltau explained why the government is enthusiastic about space-based solar power.

It not only improves the energy system's effectiveness but also offers electricity at a quarter of the cost of nuclear.

Until recently, building a 2,000-tonne solar power station in space was considered science fiction.

However, Solarcity is in discussions with SpaceX to use Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, for this purpose.

Approximately 68 launches would be required to transport the parts to orbit, where they would be assembled by robots.

The cost of launching items into orbit is expected to decrease significantly, to just 1%, due to Starship's capabilities.

Mr. Soltau described this as a "complete game changer." Space-based solar power is a new technology that allows the conversion of solar energy into electricity in space and its transmission back to Earth using microwave beams.

This innovation offers the potential to do things in space that were not feasible a decade ago.

However, reassuring the public about the safety of the microwave beam is a challenge.

The beam has only a quarter of the energy of the midday sun at the equator and is "locked on" to a receiving station.

Safety is a priority in the design, and the receiving antennas will be located away from populated areas, most likely offshore.

Dr. Jovana Radulovic, an energy expert, believes that space-based solar power will contribute significantly to meeting future electricity needs.

However, more evidence is required to confirm its low carbon footprint, considering the multiple rocket launches required for its implementation.

A spokesperson stated that the carbon emissions from space-based solar power are equivalent to renewable energy sources.

However, she noted that potential pollution effects in the upper atmosphere need further clarification for it to be considered cleaner than current alternatives.

China, Japan, the European Space Agency, and several US companies are working on making space-based solar power a reality.

In the UK, the government, university researchers, and companies like EDF and the National Grid have formed the Space Energy Initiative to advance plans for a solar power station in orbit.