The largest solar firm in the world, LONGi Green Energy, will launch solar panels into space to determine if they can function in orbit and provide power back to Earth, according to Electrek.
The LONGi Green Energy Future Energy Space Laboratory is the recently announced initiative by the Xi’an, China-based solar giant. The firm plans to test its technologies in settings comparable to those found on Earth in order to determine if they are appropriate for space, with the stated goal of “promote the integrated development of aerospace technology and new energy.”
Wu Zhijian, president of the China Space Foundation, a government-backed agency under the China National Space Administration, explained [translated]:
| The earliest applications of photovoltaics were in the aerospace field. The development of photovoltaics and aerospace are inseparable. Photovoltaics have always been the main producer of space power. I am very happy to see LONGi taking the first step in aerospace and connecting In the future space power station, aerospace commercialization, and other fields.I also look forward to LONGi and China’s photovoltaic enterprises speeding up their pace and moving forward hand in hand with China Aerospace. |
Chinese researchers at Xidian University in Shaanxi province reported in June that they had tested a full-system prototype that could wirelessly transport solar electricity from space to Earth. In a nutshell, according to Bloomberg:
| [It] 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. While the model only sends the energy 55 meters through the air, the researchers hope the technology could one day be expanded to send power from orbiting solar panels to Earth. |
Meanwhile, Electrek published the opinion of Space Explored’s writers regarding the initiative:
Seth Kurkowski said:
| We already have a problem with too much space debris and large constellations in orbit. Regulations don’t exist to ensure operators of satellites cooperate in avoiding each other, and adding more isn’t going to help the situation.It’s a great idea in theory, but I think the additional problems it will create will outweigh the benefit it will bring. But the technology LONGi could create out of these tests could be useful for future space exploration on the Moon or Mars when we have less congestion in our orbit. |
And Derek Wise added:
| Continuing to explore and improve solar panel tech for space flight will continue to improve that same tech down here on earth, and in other space applications. But the idea of “space-based power stations” is a very … optimistic take. I just can’t see it happening. If LONGi is getting double the power, or even triple the power, due to lack of clouds and darkness, I see no way that can make up for tens of millions of dollars per launch.A [SpaceX] Falcon 9 can launch (very roughly) 20,000 lbs to low earth orbit, and that would be less for sun synchronous orbit. Solar panels made for space could be lighter, but would have faster degradation than on Earth. And if the company is paying $35-45 million per 20,000 lbs of solar panels … that’s a ton of extra solar panels and batteries you could buy here on Earth. |
