China’s 1km Solar Array: The Manhattan Project of Energy

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China’s 1km-wide space solar array is expected to collect energy at a constant rate more than 10-times more efficient than photovoltaic panels on Earth
China’s 1km-wide solar array in space is expected to collect as much energy in a year as the total amount of oil that can be extracted from the Earth

Renewable energy sources undeniably play a key role in the energy transition and ensuring the transition to net zero.

As its popularity grows, so does the variety of applications.

Solar panels harvest the sun’s energy to create electricity through the photovoltaic effect, the process that converts light energy into usable power.

Solar panels can be found in a variety of places, whether on buildings as more traditionally seen or even on farmland or under railway tracks.

But what about places that are actually actually out of this world?

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Space-based solar power (SBSP or SSP) is the concept of collecting solar power in outer space with solar power satellites (SPS) and distributing it back down to Earth.

Although it may seem like a futuristic concept, the prospect of space solar may be closer than you think.

China plans 1km space solar project

Expected to collect energy at a constant rate more than 10-times more efficient than photovoltaic panels on Earth, China is planning to build a solar array 1km-wide.

The energy collected by the outer space solar, situated along the 36,000km geostationary orbit, is expected to be converted to microwaves before being beamed to a collector station for transmission back to Earth.

The project has been coined the Manhattan Project of the energy sector — the original Manhattan Project being the top-secret World War II programme that developed the first atomic bombs.

China’s modern day version will collect energy from the sun in Earth’s orbit and transmit it back down to Earth, providing continuous power. 

Solar captured in space is stronger than that on Earth and is not subject to issues around daylight hours. Credit: Getty

The benefit of this infrastructure being in space rather than on the ground is that it is not affected by day-night cycles or varying weather patterns, meaning space solar panels are more reliable and are not as restricted as more traditional counterparts.

“We are working on this project now,” says Long Lehao, a senior Chinese scientist who is a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and one of the brains behind the project.

“It is as significant as moving the Three Gorges Dam to a geostationary orbit 36,000km above the Earth. This is an incredible project to look forward to.”

Long Lehao shared details of the project during a lecture at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in October, with his speech transcription later released by the academy in December.

China’s Three Gorges Dam

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The Three Gorges Dam on China’s Yangtze river is the world’s largest hydropower plant.

Although firmly on Earth rather than in outer space, the Three Gorges Dam is a feat of engineering and an energy marvel.

It took 17 years to build and now has an annual output of around 100 billion kWh — producing enough power for 5.4 million homes.

It was built and is operated by China Yangtze Power, a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG).

As well as generating power, the Three Gorges Dam can enact flood control and, as a result, offers improved river navigation. The project cost an estimated US$25-35bn.

How viable is space solar?

Space Solar is a company focused on “delivering a revolutionary vision to enable net zero and global energy security with space-based solar power”.

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Its mission and vision is to create an era-defining new solar energy source from space.

“In 12 years, Space Solar will deliver an affordable, scalable and fully renewable new baseload energy technology,” the company says.

“Space-based solar power will accelerate the transition to net zero and provide energy security for partner nations, as global demand grows.

“Ultimately, we will help create a safer and more secure world where clean energy is available to everyone, for the benefit of all life on earth.”

This comes as global electricity demand is expected to double by 2050.

One of Space Solar’s breakthroughs comes in the form of 360° wireless power transmission — a world first.

“This successful test is a really important milestone on the way to making space-based solar power a reality,” says Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency

“Safe, wireless, 360° energy transmission is a game changer and demonstrates the UK’s leading position in this new energy revolution, quite literally harnessing the power of space to benefit life on Earth.

“The UK Space Agency has been supporting a number of initiatives to get our sector ready to address this market, including the development of in-orbit manufacturing and assembly, large structure deployment, debris mitigation, power beaming from space and mission system studies.”


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