Chinese researchers have successfully tested a full-system model of technology that could one day wirelessly transmit solar power from outer space to Earth.
A model power station at Xidian University in Shaanxi province captures sunlight high above the ground and converts it into microwave beams. It then transmits through the air to a receiver station on the ground, where it can be converted back to electricity.
The research team behind it recently conducted tests in front of a panel of outside experts, who verified its success on June 5, the university said in aThe promise of solar power from space is that it would eliminate the clean energy technology’s biggest drawback — not being able to operate in darkness — by putting the panels in orbit where they can evade Earth’s shadow.