Picture sitting on a beach in Dubai in the middle of the night as a cool breeze sways – but in natural sunlight. Ben Nowack, CEO and co-founder of California tech start-up Reflect Orbital, says this could soon be possible here in the UAE.
The entrepreneur has developed a technology that can send mirrors into space to reflect rays from the Sun back to Earth.
How would this work?
Reflect Orbital plans to launch a constellation of satellites equipped with expansive mirrors into Earth's orbit. These mirrors would reflect sunlight on to specific areas of the planet after sunset, providing solar power, even when the sun goes down.
The company plans to offer this service to solar farms, enabling them to generate electricity during periods when traditional solar energy is unavailable. Each beam would light up an area about 5km in diameter, or about the size of Palm Jumeirah.
"When you're in the spot, it's going to be bright but when you're outside of the spot, you'll just see the light on the ground, unless you're looking directly at the satellite and purpose," said Mr Nowack.
A timeline for launch is yet to be announced, but Mr Nowack told The National that it could be as early as the beginning of next year. After that, launches will happen rapidly.
"We'll go from one satellite to 100 quite quickly, and then from 100 to 1,000 pretty quickly. And then, after that, I think it'll be even faster," he said. "When you start scaling up for energy, you start wanting to place orders for several thousand satellites at once."
Mr Nowack, a former SpaceX intern, added that the project has the backing of Elon Musk's firm. "We're not building rockets. SpaceX handles that. They will launch our satellites. We go into orbit, and then we sell the sunlight to crossovers."
On a mission to create continuous solar
Solar, Mr Nowack says, is the natural choice when it comes to the future of clean energy. "Every second, the Sun makes 5,000 times more energy than humanity has ever consumed, and we're so good at building solar farms," he said.
In September, Reflect Orbital announced the conclusion of its $6.5 million seed round, led by Sequoia Capital, with participation from Starship Ventures.
The main use for this technology is to provide solar energy to solar farms during the night, thereby increasing their energy output and efficiency. However, speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai this week, Mr Nowack shared that there are other uses, such as street lighting, agricultural purposes, mining and construction.
"A lot of people will also use this to curb seasonal depression. We got a lot of applications from Scandinavia," said Mr Nowack. "If you are in a valley and it's winter time, you're not getting very much daylight, so you spend a lot of time in the darkness, and people struggle with depression."
Seasonal applications could extend to the Middle East, lighting up areas at night during the summer. "People will often leave in the summer because it's too hot. So with our technology, we can light up an area at night when it's cooler."
Driving the solar market
In January, the UAE launched what it called the “world’s first” facility that can provide renewable energy at scale around the clock.
The $6 billion project, led by Abu Dhabi clean energy company Masdar, will integrate 5 gigawatts of solar capacity with 19 gigawatt hours of battery storage to generate 1 gigawatt of "uninterrupted clean power".
“For decades, the biggest barrier facing renewable energy has been intermittency,” Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said. “It has been the moon shot challenge of our time. How can we power a world that never sleeps with energy sources that do? This will, for the first time ever, transform renewable energy into baseload energy. It is a first step that could become a giant leap.”
The UAE is already home to a variety of solar-powered projects, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is set to become the world's largest single-site solar park with a projected production capacity of 5,000MW by 2030.
The Al Dhafra Solar Power Plant in Abu Dhabi powers around 200,000 homes and is expected to reduce the emirate's carbon dioxide emissions by more than 2.4 million tonnes annually – roughly the same as removing 470,000 cars from the roads.
At an energy event in November, energy minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said the country, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, will initiate “one or two” solar farms a year until the end of the decade.
History of space mirrors
Research into space mirrors, solar sails, and harnessing solar space energy dates back to the mid-20th century.
A Nasa document published in 1980 refers to "hardware characteristics and applications opportunities of large orbital mirrors" under the space agency's Solares programme. The report describes the deployment of thin film-covered structures that offer value to "terrestrial solar-energy systems".
The plans were for Solares unites to be sent to space "assuming Space Shuttle availability", delivering "high-intensity insolation" sun light. The programme did not take off.
In 1993, however, Russia's Znamya project took flight. Lead engineer, Vladimir Syromyatnikov, constructed a 65-foot-wide sheet of Mylar, a type of stretched reflective film, that could be unfurled from a central mechanism and launched from the Mir space station.
While the Znamya launch in 1993 was hailed a success, further projects did not fully materialise. The BBC reported in 1998 that complaints and concerns were raised from astronomers who were worried about the impacts light pollution might have on the night sky, as well as ecologists concerned about the impacts of artificial light on wildlife and natural cycles.
How solar activity influences the Earth – in pictures
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
How do Sim card scams work?
Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards by claiming to be the victim, often pretending their phone has been lost or stolen in order to secure a new Sim.
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes
The package
Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January
The info
Visit www.gokorea.co.uk
Zayed Sustainability Prize
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
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All about the Sevens
Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
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Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
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