Sunlight on Demand?

Solar power is clean, increasingly efficient, and limited by one simple fact: the sun sets. But what if nightfall didn’t have to mean the end of solar generation?

Reflect Orbital, a California-based startup, is developing a satellite system designed to bounce sunlight back to Earth—after dark.

Using orbiting mirrors, the company aims to deliver brief extensions of natural light, potentially shifting how we think about solar energy, nighttime activity, and the control of daylight itself.

How the System Works

The plan involves launching a constellation of small satellites equipped with reflective Mylar surfaces—each about 33 square feet. These orbiting mirrors would reflect sunlight to targeted locations on Earth, such as solar farms or construction zones, during periods when the sun is no longer overhead.

Users would access a digital platform, input GPS coordinates, and schedule a “delivery” of reflected light. The satellites would then orient themselves to redirect sunlight precisely to that spot—essentially offering sunlight on demand.

Potential Applications

The most immediate application is extending the productivity of solar farms. By increasing available light during early morning and evening hours, the satellites could help generate more energy without building new infrastructure.

But the concept isn’t limited to energy. Temporary lighting could be useful for nighttime construction, disaster relief, or agricultural work—any setting where daylight could improve safety, efficiency, or outcomes.

Where It Stands Now

Reflect Orbital has raised $6.5 million in seed funding and plans to launch its first test satellite in 2025. The project remains experimental, but it’s part of a broader trend: using orbital infrastructure to actively shape conditions on the ground.