It's viable to produce low-cost, lightweight solar panels that can generate energy in space, according to new research from the Universities of Surrey and Swansea.
"We are very pleased that a mission designed to last one year is still working after six. These detailed data show the panels have resisted radiation and their thin-film structure has not deteriorated in the harsh thermal and vacuum conditions of space. Researchers from the University of Swansea's Centre for Solar Energy Research developed new solar cells from cadmium telluride. The panels cover a larger area, are more lightweight, and provide far greater power than current technology -- as well as being relatively cheap to manufacture.Scientists from the University of Surrey designed instruments that measured their performance in orbit.
"Large area solar arrays for space applications are a rapidly expanding market and demonstrations such as this help to build on the UK's world class reputations for space technology."An original approach to mass-producing low-cost solar cell foundation blocks could lead to the wide adoption of solar panels made from perovskite ink -- a 'miracle material' -- according to ...