Archive: first published 2023-10-24. This recovered report describes events at that time and has not been updated to reflect subsequent developments.
Researchers from the University of Surrey and the University of Swansea have made significant strides in demonstrating the practicality of developing lightweight, cost-effective solar panels for energy generation in space. Over the course of six years and 30,000 orbits, their study focused on evaluating the resilience of cadmium telluride solar cells to the challenging conditions of space, including radiation exposure and extreme temperatures.
The findings highlight the substantial progress made in achieving increased panel coverage, reduced weight, and improved power output, all at a significantly lower manufacturing cost. This breakthrough has laid the foundation for the potential establishment of economically viable space-based solar farms, which could revolutionize energy generation and distribution both in space and on Earth.
Professor Craig Underwood, Emeritus Professor of Spacecraft Engineering at the Surrey Space Centre, expressed his enthusiasm about the implications of this ultra-low mass solar cell technology, suggesting that it could lead to the deployment of large, cost-effective solar power stations in space, providing a sustainable source of clean energy for Earth.
Dr. Dan Lamb from the University of Swansea emphasized the importance of this successful flight test of the novel thin-film solar cell payload, which has opened up new avenues for further technological development. He also emphasized that these advancements contribute to bolstering the UK's standing in the field of space technology, particularly in the rapidly expanding market of large-area solar arrays for space applications.
Original archive: Energy People.
