Space solar farms could be possible, says new research from universities
Findings from research at the universities of Surrey and Swansea could pave the way for commercially viable solar farms in space.
Scientists have been studying a satellite over six years, which carried new solar cells from cadmium telluride developed at Swansea along with instruments that measured their performance, designed by researchers at Surrey.
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The satellite too was designed and built at the Surrey Space Centre at the university of Surrey in partnership with a team of trainee engineers from the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL).
Professor Craig Underwood, Emeritus Professor of spacecraft engineering at the Surrey Space Centre, said: "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.
"This ultra-low mass solar cell technology could lead to large, low-cost solar power stations deployed in space, bringing clean energy back to Earth – and now we have the first evidence that the technology works reliably in orbit."
Although the cells' power output became less efficient over time, researchers believe the findings prove that solar power satellites work and could be commercially viable.
Dr Dan Lamb from the university of Swansea added: "The successful flight test of this novel thin film solar cell payload has leveraged funding opportunities to further develop this technology.
"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."
The study has been published in the journal Acta Astronautica and can be read HERE.
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