Xinhua News Agency said that the scientists are currently assessing the pros and cons of the solar power station.
The concept involves a super spacecraft on a geosynchronous orbit featuring huge solar panels while the electricity generated will be transmitted to a collector on the Earth in the form of microwaves or lasers.
Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) member Duan Baoyan said that the space-based solar panels are capable of generating about ten times more electricity compared to ground-based photovoltaic (PV) panels per unit area.
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the International Academy of Astronautics member Wang Xiji said that the space solar power station development is possible only when the wireless power transmission technology efficiency reach around 50%.
China is seeking to develop a cheap heavy-lift launch vehicle, as well as very thin and light solar panels in order to solve the weight challenge associated with the commercially-viable space power station, reports the news agency.
Wang said: "We also need to make very thin and light solar panels. The weight of the panel must be less than 200 grams per square meter."
China Academy of Space Technology vice president Li Ming said: "China will build a space station in around 2020, which will open an opportunity to develop space solar power technology."
Ming said that the space station will be used to demonstrate key technologies of constructing space solar power station.
