According to The Volt, Japan is poised to make history with the "OHISAMA" project, potentially becoming the first country to transmit solar power from space to Earth.

This ambitious initiative, developed by Japan Space Systems, aims to harness solar energy in space and beam it back to Earth, potentially revolutionizing the production and distribution of clean energy. The project is scheduled to become operational later this year, and if successful, this milestone effort will establish space-based solar power (SBSP) as an additional source of clean, continuous electricity.

Under the plan, a 180kg satellite will be launched into low Earth orbit (LEO) at 400km altitude. The satellite is equipped with 2 square meters of photovoltaic (PV) panels that convert solar energy into electricity, store it in onboard batteries, and then transmit it to Earth-based receiving stations in the form of microwaves.

As reported by Space.com, while the system currently can only transmit 1 kilowatt of power—enough for small appliances—Koichi Ijichi, consultant for Japan Space Systems, stated at the International Space Energy Conference in London in April 2024 that this mission represents a critical step toward realizing a space-based solar power station capable of providing clean energy regardless of Earth's weather conditions.

A NASA report from January 2024 raised concerns about the cost of launching components into orbit via rockets and the excess greenhouse gas emissions, suggesting that this could make SBSP far less climate-friendly than terrestrial technologies.

However, RatedPower reports that given the orbital system's energy output is up to 13 times higher than ground-based solar panels—and potentially comparable to nuclear power plants—advancements in launch vehicles, solar cells, and wireless transmission technology could gradually make SBSP viable.

Japan hopes the "OHISAMA" project will pave the way for future gigawatt-scale SBSP systems, delivering all-weather, storm-proof renewable energy from space.