Energy-enhancing solar cells on delicate glass for improved satellite energy systems and space materials.
In a significant leap forward for space technology, a collaboration between Swansea and Loughborough universities in the UK is developing a groundbreaking solution for powering future space missions. The focus is on cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells, which are being designed for space-grade applications using lightweight, ultra-thin cells on specialty glass.
This innovative approach aims to deliver a 20% efficiency under space conditions (AM0 spectrum), with a cell-specific power of about 1.6 kW/kg. This is highly competitive for space-grade photovoltaics, offering a promising alternative to the current dominant space solar technologies like multi-junction solar cells (MJSCs).
The CdTe layers are deposited directly onto the ultra-thin cover glass, serving both as a substrate and radiation protection. This design significantly reduces weight and cost compared to traditional laminated cover glass panels. Moreover, the cells offer inherent radiation stability, providing extended operational lifetimes crucial for long-duration space missions.
The technology has already been tested in space on the AlSat-1N CubeSat launched in 2016, proving the concept in low Earth orbit. On Earth, the cells have reached efficiencies up to 23.1%, showing strong potential for further optimization.
The CdTe-on-glass approach offers several advantages over current space solar technologies. It is lighter, cheaper, and highly radiation-resistant, targeting 20% efficiency in space. This could substantially reduce satellite launch costs and support the growing demand for space-based solar power driven by large satellite constellations and emerging space manufacturing industries.
The development is backed by UK Research and Innovation funding and leverages world-class facilities at both universities. The partners in this collaboration include 5N Plus Inc. (Canada), AIXTRON (UK), CTF Solar GmbH (Germany), Teledyne Qioptiq (UK), the Manufacturing Technology Centre (UK), and the Satellite Applications Catapult (UK).
The European Space Agency predicts a leap from just 1 MWp/year to 10 GWp/year of space solar demand by 2035, driven by expansion of satellite constellations and the rise of space-based manufacturing. This new CdTe technology could play a significant role in meeting this demand and powering the next generation of space missions.
References: [1] UK Research and Innovation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ukri.org/ [3] Swansea University. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.swansea.ac.uk/ [5] Loughborough University. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.lboro.ac.uk/
(Additional unrelated facts omitted for brevity)
- The collaboration between Swansea and Loughborough universities is utilizing robotics and innovative manufacturing techniques to further the development of space technology.
- This cutting-edge research focuses on renewable energy in the form of cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells for space-grade applications.
- The industry is looking towards this CdTe-on-glass approach as a potential alternative to the current dominant space solar technologies due to its advantages of being lighter, cheaper, and highly radiation-resistant.
- The projected efficiency under space conditions for these CdTe solar cells is about 20%, which could lead to substantial cost reductions in satellite launches and support the growing space-based energy sector.
- Financing for this project comes from UK Research and Innovation, along with collaboration from several leading companies and institutions in the field of science, technology, and the global space industry.
