China accelerates plans for first solar panel station in space

China has brought forward plans to build a solar panel station in space by two years. Now, it plans to launch the energy project in 2028, when a trial satellite will be sent out to orbit at around 400 km (250 miles) above the earth.

The South China Morning Post said that the Chinese satellite will "convert solar energy to microwaves or lasers and then direct the energy beams to various targets, including fixed locations on Earth and moving satellites".

Solar panels in space are supposed to be much more effective than those on Earth: not only will they be able to absorb the sun’s rays 24 hours a day and without weather restrictions, but the intensity of the sunlight they receive is likely to be much increased.

An independent 2021 British study into space-based solar power (SBSP) showed that satellites in geosynchronous orbit receive the sun’s rays 99% of the time.

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The concept is seen as a major step forward in the expansion of renewables as nations around the world move to try and achieve ambitious net-zero targets and find alternative and greener energy sources.

There are, of course, technological hurdles that still need to be ironed out. Directing microwaves over such a distance will require incredibly powerful technology, such as a giant antenna, for example.

But the British study showed that although the required antenna will be extremely large, it is likely that it will be possible to construct them from a large number of modules – and therefore they can be mass-manufactured, aiding the renewable projects.

This is not the first time countries have looked to space for renewable solutions: In March it was announced that the UK had begun research into whether a £16bn British version could be launched into orbit by 2035.

Science minister George Freeman said that he would support initiatives driving towards the project, though also added that that didn’t mean the government would “write a cheque” for it – yet. It was also reported that NASA first floated a similar concept over two decades ago, but the idea was not pursued.

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China’s president set out for the country to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, and so far the country looks to have been fulfilling its objectives: In May, figures showed that China had tripled its investment in solar power in the first four months of the year, which confirmed China as the largest renewables market in the world.

Then, in March, China said it would be building the biggest ever solar and wind power generation capacity in the Gobi desert.

“China is now the undisputable global leader of renewable energy expansion worldwide,” said an International Energy Agency head in 2019. This latest move to expand into space only seems to prove this sentiment.

There are however a few counterbalancing factors. For example, China is currently planning to build as many as 43 new coal plants and 18 new blast furnaces.

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