Led by Academician Duan Baoyan, a team from Xidian University has unveiled a kilowatt-level wireless power transmission system covering distances exceeding 100 meters—a critical ground-based milestone for the "Zhuri" (Chasing the Sun) initiative.
Researchers at Xidian University have announced a significant advancement in the field of space-based solar power. As part of the "Zhuri" project, they have developed a ground-level verification system capable of simultaneously transmitting microwave energy to multiple moving targets. This represents one of the most tangible recent demonstrations of the technologies required for future orbital solar stations.
The system has already demonstrated the transmission of 1,180 watts over a distance of approximately 100 meters, achieving a DC-to-DC efficiency of 20.8% and a beam collection efficiency of 88%. In a separate experiment, it provided a steady 143 watts to a moving drone at a distance of 30 meters and a speed of 30 km/h. These results, announced on May 18–19, 2026, represent progress in core technologies for a project that ultimately envisions placing a massive solar station in geostationary orbit.
Current Project Status
This system is a ground-based verification platform rather than an orbital prototype. Development has been underway at the university for several years, following the construction of a 75-meter test tower in 2022. The latest phase features an upgraded system with multi-point transmission capabilities and improved pointing accuracy. Realizing orbital deployment and power transmission to Earth from thousands of kilometers away is still a long-term goal; current plans involve a megawatt-level orbital demonstrator around 2030, with larger systems to follow thereafter.
Mechanism of Operation
Orbital solar panels will harvest energy almost around the clock, unaffected by atmospheric interference or nightfall. This electricity is converted into microwaves and beamed via a narrow signal to ground-based rectifying antennas (rectennas), where it is transformed back into power. Primary advancements in the current test include enhanced beam control precision, reduced energy loss, and the capability to track multiple mobile receivers. These features distinguish the system from earlier laboratory experiments that operated over shorter distances and at lower power levels.
Key Challenges
Despite this progress, several major hurdles remain.
First is the challenge of scaling: moving from 100 meters on the ground to 36,000 km in geostationary orbit will require incredibly precise beam targeting on targets that move relative to the Earth.
Second is efficiency—a 20.8% DC-to-DC efficiency over a short distance suggests that losses will be higher at actual operational ranges, and the overall economic viability of the system remains unclear.
Third is safety, as high-power microwave beams must be proven safe for aviation, wildlife, and people within the reception zone.
Fourth are the costs of launching and maintaining massive orbital structures, alongside regulatory and international concerns regarding the use of orbital slots and frequencies for energy transmission.
Comparison with Alternatives Compared to laser-based methods, the microwave transmission technology China is developing has its own "maturity," as it penetrates the atmosphere more effectively at certain frequencies and is less sensitive to weather. However, laser systems allow for the use of smaller receivers. Compared with ground-based solar generation paired with battery storage, the space-based option offers constant generation but requires staggering capital investment. Small modular reactors (SMRs) or terrestrial renewable sources with energy storage currently appear more realistic for the coming decades.
Future Outlook
This current test is an important technological demonstration that confirms progress in microwave beam control and multi-point transmission. It brings China closer to the possibility of creating "orbital charging stations" for satellites and, in the long term, for Earth. Nevertheless, the journey from ground-level kilowatts to commercial gigawatts in orbit will involve many more engineering and economic milestones. The next logical steps include expanding terrestrial testing, refining pointing accuracy over longer distances, and preparing for orbital experiments. The project remains one of the most ambitious in global space energy, but its practical realization will require significant time and resources.
