Ben Novak, co-founder and CEO of Reflect Orbital, talks about how his company aims to make solar power available 24/7 and how Reflect Orbital aims to light up Dubai, Mechanical Electrical Plumbing has reported. Imagine a world where daylight never goes out and sunlight is available on demand, even in the darkest hours. That’s the vision of Reflect Orbital , an innovative company founded by Ben Novak that aims to revolutionize solar energy by providing “sunlight after dark.”
Reflect Orbital’s technology promises to change the way we think about sunlight, creating a limitless source of energy that can illuminate urban areas and power industries even after sunset. In January, Novak shared the idea with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai, who was positive about the idea. Nowack believes the technology will be a game-changer for the UAE, a country that is already investing heavily in solar energy. Reflect Orbital’s technology aligns with the UAE’s sustainable development goals. “In Dubai, we could extend the efficiency of solar energy at night, powering skyscrapers and industrial plants long after sunset,” Nowack said.
Solar Innovation
Reflect Orbital’s approach is not just about energy; it’s also about solving pressing societal problems. The company aims to combat seasonal depression in cities that lack sunlight and revolutionize agriculture with an innovative product that is essentially described as “sunlight in a bottle.” By allowing solar storage devices to harness sunlight even at night, the technology promises to address the challenges of a lack of daylight. While the focus is currently on large-scale deployments, Nowack also envisions personal applications for the technology. “Imagine being able to buy solar for your home during the dark winter months — perfect for those struggling with seasonal depression,” he said. The technology could spread to a variety of sectors, including construction and agriculture, fundamentally changing the way sunlight is accessed.
Reflect Orbital’s plans raise questions about affordability and regulation, with Novak ensuring that state leaders are involved to ensure responsible distribution. Rather than accept the limitations of traditional solar power, Novak envisions a new infrastructure where satellites equipped with reflective mirrors capture sunlight in space and beam it to solar farms around the world. While the concept was first tested in 1992 with a 20-meter space-based reflector, Reflect Orbital has taken the idea further with scalable technology that can direct sunlight exactly where it’s needed.
Reflect Orbital Technologies
The system uses lightweight, deployable mirrors in low Earth orbit that can redirect sunlight to solar farms or urban spaces. The technology allows for near-instantaneous adjustments, meaning sunlight can be directed anywhere within a 500-mile radius in just 30 seconds. “The sun already provides 5,000 times more energy than humanity has ever used,” Nowack said. “The challenge is not to produce electricity, but to deliver it to where it’s needed, when it’s needed. It’s about making solar energy limitless.”
Nowack’s journey to this breakthrough began with a deep passion for sustainability and energy efficiency. “I used a megawatt-hour of electricity in one month just experimenting, building steam engines, freeze dryers, and even my own mirrors,” Novak recalled. “And then it hit me: What if I’m part of the problem? What if the energy crisis isn’t just about production, it’s about accessibility?”