Solar power from space

China wants to send a 1-gigawatt solar power station into orbit by the mid-century. Generating solar power in space has long been considered science fiction. But the threat of a climate catastrophe and Beijing's growing ambitions in space are now moving technology to a whole new realm of possibility. First tests are already scheduled for this year. The Chinese are thus further ahead than their international competitors.

Frank Sieren

China wants to build a space solar power plant that is able to convert microwaves transmitted from space into electricity at high speed. The construction of a 15.4 million US dollar base station in the suburban district of Bishan in the metropolis of Chongqing is to be completed by the end of the year. It would be the first of its kind. Further testing with helium tethered balloons is also scheduled for this year to verify the reception of the rays and the reconversion at a height of 300 meters. The project is largely pushed by Chongqing University in southwest China. The groundwork for the test facility in Bishan was laid three years ago.

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