Chasing the sun for solar power generation

Will China build a solar power station in space in 2028?

CFP China reached a milestone with advancing efforts to build a solar power station in space in 2028, aiming to convert sunlight in outer space into electrical supply to drive the satellites in orbits or transmit power back to Earth, according to China's spacecraft maker China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).

Why are China and India preparing for a solar peak?

The strong peak around 2030 for China and India is explained by a saturation in addition of additional solar capacity, in combination with a growing GDP and declining solar costs. b shows power sector investment with respect to 2019 values. Investment is forecast to see a fast growth worldwide relative to historical trends.

Does China have a space solar power initiative?

In 2015, Northrop Grumman Corporation in the U.S. sponsored a $17.5 million research over three years for the development of the Space Solar Power Initiative (SSPI). Duan proposed in late 2013 to kick off China's own initiative and then his team put forward China's tech approach of SSPS called OMEGA.

How has solar energy changed the world?

Solar energy started its journey in niche markets, like most innovations, supplying electricity to applications where little alternatives existed in space and remote locations 22. Since then, cumulative investments and sales, driven by past policy, have made its cost come down by almost three orders of magnitude.

What will a solar-dominated future look like?

A solar-dominated future is likely to be metal and mineral-intensive 48. Future demand for “critical minerals” will increase on two fronts: electrification and batteries require large-scale raw materials – such as lithium and copper; niche materials, including tellurium, are instrumental for solar panels 49.

Is solar dominance possible in 2050?

Notably, with solar prices far below alternatives, higher learning rates have a small effect on diffusion. Overall, in 72% of the simulations done for robustness testing, solar makes up more than 50% of power generation in 2050. This suggests that solar dominance is not only possible but also likely.