Researchers from Loughborough and Cambridge Universities have joined forces under the auspices of the UK Space Agency to pioneer ultra-lightweight solar cells tailored for space missions
This collaborative project, boasted by a substantial £484,000 grant from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) – Kick Starter, aims to revolutionise the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar technology in space.
Central to the project’s innovation is the development of a novel adhesive-free method that will securely attach high-efficiency Gallium Arsenide solar cells directly onto ultra-thin glass.
This new approach not only promises to significantly reduce the weight of solar arrays but also optimises their power-to-weight ratio, therefor slashing payload costs for future space missions.
Boosting the efficiency of solar cells
Professor Michael Walls, leading the initiative from Loughborough University’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST), noted, that current systems rely on thicker and heavier materials, making this advancement a game-changer in minimizing the costs associated with deploying solar cells in space.
Key to boosting the efficiency of these solar cells is the integration of a durable anti-reflection coating on the thin glass surface. This coating not only maximises the amount of light entering the solar cells but also enhances power output by reflecting infrared radiation, which serves a dual purpose by providing passive cooling in the harsh environment of space.
The collaborative effort, supported by the UK Space Agency, shows the UK’s commitment to pioneering advancements in space technology. By leveraging cutting-edge research and development, the project aims to set new benchmarks in space-based solar energy, potentially transforming how power is generated and utilised in orbit.
Renewable energy source
The development of ultra-lightweight solar cells is particularly critical as space agencies and private companies seek to reduce launch costs and maximise the efficiency of space missions.
Traditional solar cells, with their relatively heavy substrates, have always been a challenge in terms of both weight and volume, limiting the scope of power that can be generated without significantly increasing payload costs. The innovative approach from Loughborough and Cambridge addresses these challenges head-on.
Beyond the immediate benefits for satellite communications, imaging, sensing, and navigation systems, the research could pave the way for ambitious future projects, including the development of space-based solar power systems. These systems could potentially harness solar energy in orbit and beam it back to Earth, providing a continuous, renewable energy source that is unaffected by weather conditions or the day-night cycle.
