It will be launched into space to avoid seasonable variations and daylight dependency.

China is embarking on the construction of an ambitious celestial solar farm spanning one kilometer in width to continuously harvest renewable energy for customers on Earth. This immense solar array will be launched into geostationary orbit - 36,000 kilometers above Earth - using heavy-lift rockets.

The harvested energy will be transmitted to Earth via microwaves, making it a revolutionary advancement in renewable energy.

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A geostationary orbit ensures the solar farm remains fixed above the same point on Earth's surface, allowing for uninterrupted energy collection. According to aerospace engineer Long Lehao, cited by the South China Morning Post, the project represents a breakthrough comparable in scale and significance to the iconic Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric power producer, which spans 2,335 metres across the Yangtze River.

The solar farm is designed to overcome limitations faced by terrestrial solar arrays, such as seasonal variations and daylight dependency. Space-based solar panels can continuously collect energy from the sun and are estimated to be 10 times more efficient than their Earth-based counterparts.

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Construction of the space solar power station began in the city of Chongqing in 2019. The Long March-9, a reusable heavy-lift rocket, is expected to be used to transport the solar farm into orbit. Once operational, the array is predicted to generate as much energy annually as the total amount of oil extracted globally.

This ambitious project adds to a growing list of solar innovations worldwide, including Australia's first building powered by an on-site solar facade system and one of Europe’s largest solar farms designed by Bilgin Architects.

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