Ilaria Rosella Pagliaro A project that seems like science fiction, but it's reality: Japan aims to collect solar energy in space and transmit it to Earth, revolutionizing the future of renewable energy
© RISH, Kyoto University
A greener future could come from above—way above. In Japan, a group of scientists, working alongside the government and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), is developing a groundbreaking project: beaming solar energy collected in space directly to Earth. If all goes as planned, the first tests could begin as early as 2025.
The technology has been in development since the 1960s, when scientist Peter Glaser first proposed the concept. It relies on small satellites equipped with solar panels. Once in orbit, these satellites capture uninterrupted sunlight, unaffected by clouds, rain, or the day-night cycle, and convert it into microwaves. These microwaves are then transmitted to Earth, where massive receiving stations convert them back into usable electricity.
Why collect energy in space? because the sun never sets up there.”
The sun shines constantly in space—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That means continuous, stable access to solar power, something that ground-based systems simply can’t offer due to weather and nighttime disruptions.
From an environmental perspective, this project could be a game changer. Not only does it promise to deliver clean energy without CO2 emissions, but it also reduces the need for sprawling solar farms that often take over valuable natural landscapes. In simple terms: less land use, fewer disrupted ecosystems.
If Japan succeeds, it would mark a new era in the global fight against climate change. And someday, space-based solar power could become a shared international resource—clean energy for everyone, from beyond the stratosphere.
Not just potential: there are still major technical and financial hurdles
Despite the excitement, the path forward is anything but simple. Launching and maintaining satellites remains extremely expensive, and building the Earth-based receiving infrastructure adds even more to the bill. Then there’s the issue of safety: high-powered microwave transmission demands pinpoint precision. A small misalignment could pose risks to people, wildlife, or infrastructure.
Still, the Japanese government is pushing ahead, investing heavily to refine the technology and ensure it’s safe and sustainable. If the 2025 test proves successful, we could be standing on the edge of a true energy revolution. And one day, the idea that our homes are lit by power from space might not seem like science fiction at all.
Source: Nikkei
