Japan Advances Space-Based Solar Power Technology with Groundbreaking Experiment

Pioneering a New Frontier in Renewable Energy
Japan is accelerating its efforts in space-based solar power (SBSP) technology to address global energy demands and environmental challenges. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) has tasked the Japan Space Systems (JSS) foundation with spearheading the initiative. A critical milestone in this endeavor will occur on December 4, 2024, with a foundational experiment testing high-altitude power transmission. This test will use an aircraft flying at an altitude of 5–7 kilometers to beam energy to a ground station. Success in this trial will pave the way for space-based demonstrations starting in 2025, setting the stage for large-scale implementation.

Originally conceptualized in the 1960s by the U.S., SBSP involves placing solar panels in geostationary orbit at 36,000 kilometers above Earth. By harnessing sunlight unimpeded by weather or day-night cycles, SBSP promises 10 times the efficiency of terrestrial solar power without carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Japan aims to commercialize this technology by 2050, contributing significantly to the global energy transition.

Ground Facilities and Experimental Highlights
The upcoming experiment will center around a 600-square-meter receiving station in…