A UKstartuphas claimed a major breakthrough in its plans to beam solar energy from space to Earth.
This marks the worlds first 360-degree wireless power transmission, said the startup.
Space Solar is designing a huge satellite system consisting of mirrors and solar panels.
The solar farm will be located in geostationary orbit, some 35,000 km above the equator.
Here it will follow the Earths rotation, constantly facing the Sun to collect as much energy as possible.
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Space-based solar farms could also beam energy from space 24/7, regardless of the weather on the ground.
Space Solar wants to plant the first commercial solar farm in space within the next decade.
The plant would be capable of delivering 180 megawatts to the grid enough to power a large town.
This demonstrator will be able to power a village of around 1000 homes, said Soltau.
Satellites transmitting TV signals from orbit are essentially beaming power to Earth except at a far smaller scale.
The receiver station on the ground would need to cover an area ten times larger.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
