Will China build a space-based solar power project?

Imagine a world where clean, renewable energy is beamed from space directly to Earth. That vision is now one step closer to reality as China pushes forward with its ambitious space-based solar power project. The plan? To build kilometer-wide solar stations in orbit, harness the sun’s energy 24/7, and wirelessly transmit power to the planet.

Will China launch a solar power station in geostationary orbit?

Long Lehao, a senior scientist at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, recently confirmed that China is working toward launching a one-kilometer-wide solar power station into geostationary orbit —a staggering 36,000 kilometers above Earth.

How is solar PV potential reassessed in China?

Solar radiation data from more than 2400 stations are used to reassess the solar PV potential in China. The annual technical potentials on both county and provincial scales are derived. Three scenarios of different mounting methods for solar PV panels are considered.

Is China investing in space solar power?

China is not alone in the space solar power race. Other nations are also investing in similar projects: NASA has been researching space-based solar power since the 1970s. The Pentagon is testing a small-scale prototype called PRAM-FX, designed to beam energy for military use.

Is there a high-density dataset of solar radiation over China?

Fortunately, Tang et al. (2013, 2018) have developed a long-term, high-density dataset of solar radiation over China based on routine meteorological observations from more than 2400 CMA meteorological stations.

Where can solar panels be installed in China?

Other provinces, especially in south, east, and central China, which are the major power load centers within China, contain relatively scattered areas of available land that are suitable for constructing small-scale distributed solar PV systems and deploying rooftop solar installations. Fig. 6.