A peak power of 124 kilowatts of solar power (although 80 kw is typical) depends on the angle of incidence to the Sun. Space-based solar panels can generate 2, 000 gigawatts of power constantly, 40 times more energy than a solar panel would generate. It sounds like science fiction. [10] For both uses, a key figure of merit of the solar. . Solar power generation is the primary method of power generation on small spacecraft, with over 90 of all nanosatellite/SmallSat form factor spacecraft equipped with solar panels as of 2021. Space has several advantages over Earth's surface for solar power collection, including being always solar. . This isn't science fiction: producing photovoltaic energy directly in space and then beaming it down for use on Earth is the focus of the European Space Agency's SOLARIS project, which we're also involved in.