Imagine a colossal solar power station orbiting Earth, capturing the sun’s energy 24/7 and beaming it down to our planet. China has announced plans to construct such a structure—a space-based solar power (SBSP) station spanning approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) wide. This ambitious project aims to harness solar energy in space, where sunlight is uninterrupted and more intense, and transmit it to Earth via microwaves. If successful, the station could collect more energy annually than the total amount of oil extracted globally, potentially revolutionizing the world’s energy supply and significantly contributing to the transition toward renewable energy sources.
Background
Concept of Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP)
The idea of collecting solar energy in space and transmitting it to Earth has been contemplated for nearly a century.
